DePuy Synthes has acquired Expanding Innovations, a commercial-stage medical technology company developing expandable implant systems for spine surgery. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition expands DePuy Synthes’ spine portfolio and strengthens its position in the growing market for expandable interbody cages.
Interbody cages are implants placed between vertebrae during spinal fusion procedures to help restore disc height, stabilize the spine and support bone growth between adjacent vertebral bodies.
Expandable cages are inserted in a smaller configuration and then expanded after placement, allowing surgeons to adjust the implant to a patient’s anatomy.
Expanding Innovations has developed a proprietary, non-screw-based expandable cage technology designed to support implant stability and procedural efficiency.
The company said its technology is also intended to help reduce the risk of postoperative cage collapse and vertebral body subsidence.
Subsidence occurs when an implant sinks into the surrounding vertebral bone, potentially reducing restored disc height and affecting the intended alignment or stability of the spine.
Expanding Innovations’ commercial portfolio includes the X-PAC TLIF Expandable Posterior Cage.
TLIF, or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, is a surgical approach that accesses the lumbar spine from the back and side to remove damaged disc material and place an interbody implant.
The company also offers the X-PAC LLIF Expandable Lateral Cage System.
LLIF, or lateral lumbar interbody fusion, accesses the spine from the patient’s side and can allow surgeons to place a larger implant while limiting disruption to muscles in the back.
Expanding Innovations’ portfolio also includes the X-PAC N-GAGE Lumbar Plate System, which provides additional stabilization for lumbar fusion procedures.
The company is developing next-generation TLIF and LLIF cages, enhanced instrumentation and future products for anterior lumbar interbody fusion.
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or ALIF, approaches the lumbar spine from the front of the body and may be used to restore disc height and support spinal alignment.
DePuy Synthes plans to combine Expanding Innovations’ products with its existing TriALTIS Spine System.
The TriALTIS platform is designed to support spinal fixation procedures and provide surgeons with implants and instrumentation for stabilizing the spine.
Expanding Innovations’ technology will also be integrated into the VELYS Enabling Tech portfolio for spine surgery.
The VELYS portfolio includes digital and enabling technologies intended to support surgical planning, procedural execution and more connected care.
Combining expandable implants with fixation systems and digital surgical technologies could provide surgeons with a more comprehensive set of tools across the treatment process.
The acquisition also gives DePuy Synthes access to Expanding Innovations’ product development pipeline and existing surgeon relationships.
Expanding Innovations has built commercial adoption around its X-PAC portfolio and plans to continue developing new implant designs and instrumentation.
DePuy Synthes is part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech and develops technologies across joint reconstruction, trauma, extremities, craniomaxillofacial surgery, spine surgery and sports medicine.
The company plans to use the acquisition to broaden its spine offerings while continuing to invest in technologies intended to improve procedural consistency and patient outcomes.
KEY QUOTES:
“Expanding Innovations is an exciting addition to DePuy Synthes and furthers our commitment to bringing market-leading solutions across our Spine portfolio. Our current portfolio and EI’s innovation pipeline will strengthen our position in this high-growth segment while expanding our ability to deliver meaningful innovation for surgeons and patients.”
Namal Nawana, Worldwide President of DePuy Synthes
