Double-Digit Growth Ahead for Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Disc Market

The burgeoning artificial cervical intervertebral disc market is set to expand exponentially this decade, thanks to an aging world population and increasing numbers of cervical injuries.

The Insight Partners forecasts the sector to expand 18% annually over the next six years, rising from $1.62 billion in value this year to $4.37 billion in 2028. However, the market research firm claims the high cost of cervical intervertebral disc surgeries could hamper the sector’s skyrocketing growth.
 
Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.; Globus Medical Inc.; Centinel Spine LLC; Synergy Spine Solutions Inc.; B. Braun Melsugen AG; Aditus Medical; AxioMed LLC; NuVasive Inc.; Medtronic; and Orthofix Medical, Inc. are among the leading players in the artificial cervical intervertebral disc market. 
 
Companies operating in this market have implemented various organic developments that are leading to dynamic improvements. Several firms are implementing numerous inorganic strategies, such as partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions. In February 2021, for instance, NuVasive acquired Simplify Medical, developer of the Simplify Cervical Artificial Disc (Simplify Disc) for cTDR. The acquisition of Simplify Medical added the most clinically effective cTDR technology and distinguished NuVasive’s cervical portfolio in the market. The cervical segment of the global spine market represents an opportunity with an estimated $2.6 billion value, and the company has been well-positioned to expand its reach with the addition of the Simplify Disc to its C360 portfolio.

In February 2022, AxioMed moved closer toward achieving U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its viscoelastic total disc replacement after submitting PMA module II for the completion of an IDE clinical study. According to AxioMed, the clinical data supporting the device is strong with no reported device-related failures or revisions, and rare cases of heterotopic bone formation.
 
In September 2021, more than 60,000 M6-C artificial cervical discs of Orthofix Medical were implanted worldwide. The implant is a next-generation artificial disc designed to mimic the natural motion of a native disc. Developed to replace an intervertebral disc damaged by cervical disc degeneration, the M6-C disc is indicated as an alternative to cervical fusion. After the prior approval for distribution under the CE Mark in the European Union and other international geographies, the M6-C disc received FDA approval in 2019.
 
Companies in the artificial cervical intervertebral disc market are undertaking many research and development activities to introduce innovative products. New replacement therapies enable the adoption of advanced technologies, strengthening the procedural outcomes. For instance, in April 2021, the FDA approved the NuVasive Simplify Cervical Artificial Disc for two-level cervical total disc replacement (cTDR). Additionally, in August 2020, Orthofix Medical Inc. received FDA approval for its M6-C artificial cervical disc for treating patients suffering from cervical disc degeneration. The M6-C artificial cervical disc, a next-generation artificial disc, is developed to replace the damaged intervertebral disc, which also restores physiologic motion to the spine. Moreover, in May 2018, Zimmer Biomet received approval from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for its Mobi-C Cervical Disc for cervical total disc replacement (cTDR). Mobi-C is the first cervical disc prosthesis approved by the FDA to reconstruct a cervical disc at one and two levels (C3-C7). Such robust developments are likely to reshape the artificial cervical intervertebral disc market during the forecast period.
 
In North America, the United States holds a significant share of the artificial cervical intervertebral disc market. U.S. growth is primarily driven by an increasing aging population, the growing prevalence of cervical degenerative disc disease, and surging number of spine injuries. As per the Fact Sheet: The number of U.S. residents aged 65 and older is estimated to reach about 95 million by 2060 from 52 million in 2018, and its share in the total population is likely to spike up to 23% from 16%. Further, an estimated 5 million U.S. adults suffer from spine-related disorders; however, candidates for spinal surgery account for a tiny portion of these people. 
 
The artificial cervical intervertebral disc market players are adopting various organic and inorganic strategies for market development. In April 2022, data from the NuVasive Simplify Cervical Disc two-level FDA Investigational Device Exemption study was published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. The data will be utilized in the device’s FDA pre-market application for two-level indication approval, which was approved in April 2021
 
Based on end user, the artificial cervical intervertebral disc market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and others. In 2022, the hospitals segment is estimated to hold the largest share of the market. However, the ambulatory surgical centers segment is expected to experience the highest annual growth through 2028. Ambulatory surgical centers offer cost-effective services in a convenient environment, which is less stressful than many hospitals. They also offer one day procedures, in advanced operating rooms, under the care of highly skilled healthcare professionals. Thus, owing high quality care, cost-effective treatments, and expanding access are likely to fuel market growth.