ODT’s Most-Read Stories This Week—April 8

Biomaterials and regenerative medicine generated quite a bit of website traffic this past week.

While not the top view-miners, exclusive content on both subjects nevertheless garnered significant page views. The biomaterials story detailed a promising and novel medical grade biomaterial technology for 3D printing. Cellulose fibers with polyamide and polyolefin potentially can address orthopedic implant challenges with synthetic polymers. This biomaterial composition, trademarked FibreTuff, is a brand that has unexpectedly performed in both mechanical and biological testing. The medical grade composition has created novel monofilaments to 3D print bone like functional models for pre-clinical assessment. “So far, the disruptive technology is claimed as a printed three-dimensional non-resorbable cellular structure with hydrophillic ingredients to include cellulose fibers with a melted blend of polyamide and polyolefin,” writes FibreTuff President/Founder Robert Joyce.

Similarly, Regenity Biosciences R&D Vice President Daniel Ammon details in his report the ways in which innovation is supporting the shift to regenerative medicine as a treatment for various orthopedic trauma cases and bone voids. “We are starting to see the industry shift away from the use of autografts, allografts and the more expensive methods that we have typically used to procure bone graft materials in the past to clinically proven options that are easily accessible and more affordable, including new ways to naturally regenerate tissue, bone and muscle using bioactive materials,” he notes.

Other pageview winners in this first full week of April included acquisition news from Enovis, regulatory news from Spinal Resources, and personnel fodder from Bioventus.

Enovis attracted cybervisitors with its acquisition of Amplitude Surgical subsidiary Novastep, a maker of foot and ankle solutions. The deal is expected to close this quarter. 

Spinal Resources, meanwhile, attracted cybervisitors with FDA approval of its Solutions Based Spine Platform (SBSP). The platform was designed to assist in reduction of critical spinal conditions like proximal junctional kyphosis, proximal junctional failure, and adjacent segment disease. The SBSP has a novel screw cap interface that toggles between a polyaxial and monoaxial head. The mechanism allows for free translation of the rod, facilitating screw head manipulation, compression, distraction, and coronal de-rotation.

Personnel moves never fail to lure web surfers, and Bioventus’ latest leadership change was no exception. On April 5, the company disclosed that CEO and board member Ken M. Reali stepped down from his positions and has been temporarily replaced by Anthony Bihl as interim chief executive. Bihl has more than 35 years of industry experience, having formerly served as Bioventus CEO and board member from 2013 until his retirement in 2020. Bihl currently serves as a board member for Sonendo Inc. and Spectral Medical Inc. Bioventus’ board has initiated a comprehensive search process to identify a permanent CEO.

1. Enovis to Acquire Novastep to Grow Position in Foot & Ankle

2. Orthopedic Implant Biomaterials With Radiopacity for Evidence-Based Healing

3. Industry Innovation: A Look at Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics

4. FDA OKs Spinal Resources’ Solutions-Based Spine Platform

5. Ken Reali Bows Out as Bioventus CEO