According to our article “10 years of Acquisitions in the Spine Business (2010-2019)” many acquisitions have taken place in the Spinal market in the last 10 years consolidating companies or assets, with an eye toward stimulating growth, gaining competitive advantages, increasing market share, or influencing supply chains. Many companies acquired, have disappeared for ever although they were part of the spine market development and growth. Today in this Part One, we want to remember the following Five Companies:
1.- Scient´X
Scient’x was a medical device company based in France that designed, developed and manufactured spinal implants and instrumentation. Scient’x was founded in 1988 and offered a full range of implants for spinal fusions, posterior semi-rigid stabilization and a cervical total disc replacement device. Its international distribution network consisted of a direct sales force in France and the UK, a hybrid of direct sales force and distributors in Italy, as well as exclusive and non-exclusive distributors in more than 50 countries including the United States. The Scient’x surgeon education and training network augmented its international distribution capabilities.
Scient’x key products included the Isobar™ family of rods, a semi-rigid rod technology used in spinal fusion surgeries, as well as cervical and lumbar implants, which were used predominantly in spine fusion surgeries. Outside of the U.S., Scient’x marketed a unique and proprietary ceramic-on-ceramic cervical total disc replacement device, DiscoCerv®, which has been implanted in over 3,000 patients since its initial launch.
When was Acquired?
In 2010 Alphatec Holdings, Inc. a medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders, with a focus on treating conditions affecting the aging spine, announced the acquisition of Scient’x Groupe SAS.
2.- US Spine
Boca Raton-based US Spine was a spinal implant and device manufacturing company committed to advancing the science of spine through the integration and collaboration of surgeons, scientists and engineers in creating the best solutions for patients with spinal disorders. The company’s mission was to develop, manufacture and market high quality, innovative and cost-effective spinal products that addressed the needs of our surgeons and their patients, with development efforts focused on motion and tissue preservation through a minimally invasive approach to treat spinal disorders. Their most popular product was the PreferenceTM 2 Complex Spine System.
When was Acquired?
In 2010, Amedica Corporation (AC), a spinal and orthopaedic implant and instrument company focused on unique silicon nitride (SiN) ceramic technologies, acquired US Spine, a privately held, well-known medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of advanced spinal implant systems.
3.-Synthes
Synthes Holding AG (formerly Synthes-Stratec) is a multinational medical device manufacturer based in Solothurn, Switzerland and West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the world’s largest maker of implants to mend bone fractures, and also produces surgical power tools and advanced biomaterials.
When was Acquired?
In June 2012 Synthes was sold by its chairman, former CEO and largest shareholder Hansjörg Wyss to Johnson & Johnson for $20.2 billion. It is now part of their DePuy franchise.
4.- Facet Solutions
Facet Solutions, Inc. is a privately held company focused on commercializing motion preservation spinal implants. Facet Solutions Inc., was a leader in the development of total facet arthroplasty devices,and was actively involved in the development of facet arthroplasty devices since 2003 and has completed pilot studies in Brazil, Europe and the United States. The leading product in its portfolio was ACADIA™, an unconstrained pedicle screw based total facet replacement system for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and facet degeneration.
In 2011 Globus Medical, Inc. acquired substantially all of the assets of Facet Solutions, Inc. of Hopkinton, Mass. The terms of the acquisition were undisclosed.Now, the ACADIA is part of the Globus Medical portfolio.
5.- Pioneer Surgical Technology
Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. was founded in Marquette, Michigan in 1992. Since that time, Pioneer Surgical has developed successful products in the Spine, Biologics, Orthopedics, and Cardiothoracic markets. Pioneer has several facilities throughout the U.S. and in Houten, The Netherlands.
When was Acquired?
On July 16, 2013, RTI Biologics Inc. a leading provider of orthopedic and other biologic implants, announced the acquisition of Pioneer® Surgical Technology .Effective immediately, the new name of the company is RTI Surgical Inc. The company’s worldwide headquarters will be in Alachua, Fla. and the stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol RTIX. RTI paid $130 million in cash to acquire all outstanding stock of Pioneer.