Spinal Non-Fusion Treatment Market to Swell to $750M by 2021

The global market for spinal non-fusion treatments will expand from just under $521 million in 2014 to $749 million by 2021, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3 percent, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The company’s latest report says the moderate growth will be driven primarily by the promising cervical total disc replacement (C-TDR) segment, due to an increasing availability of clinical efficacy data, the rising prevalence of degenerative spine diseases and the industry’s aggressive efforts in relation to physician training and direct-to-consumer marketing.

“C-TDR is the fastest-growing segment in the spinal care market, as it has shifted from being considered an investigational surgery to a viable alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF),” said Linda Tian, MSc, GlobalData’s managing analyst covering Medical Devices. “In general, using C-TDR in the right patients has been shown to reduce the rate of reoperations, deliver higher rates of clinical success, and reduce costs as compared to ACDF. Other growth drivers for C-TDR include improving reimbursement for the procedures in most major markets and an aging patient population that is more well-informed and demanding of motion preservation than ever before.”

Over the past decade, the number of C-TDR devices has proliferated and such products are now available in various shapes, materials, and biomechanical concepts.

“Despite the clear advantages opting for disc replacement non-fusion options can offer, its widespread adoption still faces barriers. Generally, large companies have avoided these technologies in light of stringent government and insurance company regulations. They seem to be more interested in acquiring the technology once it has been designed and approved,” Tian noted.

GlobalData’s report also states that an increase in mergers and acquisitions activity is a trend that is likely to persist over the next five years.

“Market-leading companies, such as DePuy Synthes and Medtronic, initially entered the non-fusion market through acquisitions. Since then, a league of small- to medium-sized companies have internally developed and marketed their artificial discs or other non-fusion technologies,” Tian added. “Although DePuy is likely to dominate the spinal non-fusion arena during the forecast period, the artificial disc replacement market will continue to attract new entrants.”