Cartiva Signs Distribution Agreement with Canadian Distributor

Cartiva Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with foot and ankle orthopedic medical device distributor Rehab Matrix Canada Inc. (Rehab Matrix).

Under the terms of the agreement, Rehab Matrix will exclusively distribute the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) throughout Canada.

“Rehab Matrix is an ideal partner as they have long-established relationships with many of the leading foot and ankle surgeons in Canada,” said Timothy J. Patrick, president/CEO of Cartiva. “We look forward to working with the Rehab Matrix team as they formally launch the product.”

“We are committed to bringing the most innovative technologies to the Canadian foot and ankle market,” said Curtis Northrup, president of Rehab Matrix. “Preliminary feedback about Cartiva SCI from clinicians has beenpositive, and we are excited to establish Cartiva as an alternative to fusion.”

The Cartiva procedure maintains range of motion by replacing the damaged cartilage in the affected joint with a smooth, resilient cartilage-like polymer. While fusion is effective at reducing pain caused by advanced arthritis in the great toe, it prohibits natural joint motion by fusing the joint with plates and screws. Cartiva patients avoid the inconvenience of wearing a hard cast for six to eight weeks following a fusion procedure.

“We are seeing increasing interest in Cartiva SCI in Canada, where over 150 of the patients in our clinical trial were treated,” added Patrick. “We are confident that Canadian surgeons will welcome the addition of this technology as a treatment option for their patients.”

Based in Alpharetta, Ga. and spun off from Carticept Medical Inc. in December 2011, Cartiva develops and markets solutions for patients with osteoarthritis or cartilage damage.