RTI Surgical Celebrates First Human Implantation of Allogeneic Device

In early August, Alachua, Fla.-based RTI Surgical Inc.’s Map3 cellular allogeneic bone graft implant was implanted in its first human patient. The bone graft is intended as an alternative to an autograft, which is tissue taken from the patient herself.

Franco E. Vigna, M.D., M.P.H., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Spine Surgery of Buffalo, N.Y., and a fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons performed the implantation during a spinal surgery in New York. He used the implant’s chips allograft configuration, one of two configurations that will be available once the implant launches.

“I am excited to have Map3 as an option for my patients because of its specific osteogenic and angiogenic properties,” said Vigna. “The future of spine surgery is biologics. We can place the best metal implants but if the bony fusion does not take place, those implants will loosen and the fusion will fail. Having top quality natural biologics along with excellent metal implants gives physicians and patients the best of both worlds.”

Map3 supplies the three elements necessary for bone repair: osteogenesis, osteoinduction and osteoconduction. The device incorporates adult progenitor cell-based (MAPC-based) technology with stem cells isolated from the same donor as the other bone material. The MAPC technology, licensed from Athersys Inc. for this orthopedic application, represents a distinctive type of stem cell with recognized angiogenic (physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels) and immuno-modulatory properties. According to RTI, once launched, Map3 will be available in multiple configurations and sizes, providing bone-grafting options for various bone repair, reconstruction and fusion procedures.

“We are thrilled to reach this milestone for Map3,” said Brian K. Hutchison, RTI president and CEO. “The MAPC-based technology offers the greatest potential to create high quality, innovative implants for our surgeons and their patients and will greatly enhance our company’s orthobiologics offerings. We anticipate a market release of the implant later this year.”