MicroPort Orthopedics and MB Innovations Announce Partnership

MicroPort Orthopedics Inc. (MPO) and MB Innovations (MBI) are pairing up to develop orthopedic instruments. MBI initially will provide design and development expertise to support the development of MPO’s portfolio of instruments and instrument systems associated with its Fast Recovery, tissue-sparing approach to hip arthroplasty procedures.

During the term of the development agreement, there may be additional development programs initiated to develop other differentiated implants and instruments that are used for both hip and knee arthroplasty procedures.

MicroPort Scientific Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of Wright Medical’s OrthoRecon business on Jan. 10. With the support of its China-based global parent, MPO is poised to capitalize on the macro trends of increasing globalization and expanding the OrthoRecon business in the fast-growing emerging market economies. As MicroPort looks forward, 2014 will mark a significant opportunity to invest in specific research and development activities that will result in the launch of new and innovative products in the total joint replacement market. These products ultimately will allow MPO to help surgeons provide their patients with tissue-sparing surgical procedures that result in less pain and a quicker recovery from joint replacement surgery. With a rapidly increasing product offering, MPO intends to aggressively expand its U.S. and foreign market presence.

“We are excited to connect MPO’s product development efforts with the team at MBI,” said Ted Davis, MPO’s CEO. “Troy and his team have an established track record of innovation and product commercialization. I’m looking forward to the impact they can have on our product offering. We have already identified the initial programs that leverage MPO’s ongoing efforts at tissue friendly arthroplasty techniques. I am confident that MBI will accelerate the pace at which we execute on our mission of delivering important and highly differentiated technologies to help surgeons care for their patients.”

“We have known and respected the team at MPO for years and are very excited to begin working with them,” commented MBIPresident Troy Drewry. “The opportunity to work with a company that now has unfettered access to the global market is truly unique. MBI’s goal is to rapidly develop the next generation of novel arthroplasty instruments for MicroPort. MicroPort is the ideal partner because they are highly focused and committed to innovation.”

MB Innovations provides research, design and development services to established firms. It was founded in December 2011 with start-up capital from MB Venture Partners in Memphis, Tenn. MicroPort Scientific Corporation manufactures and markets orthopedic devices.