Millennium Research Group to introduce bone morphogenetic proteins in South Korea

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, despite controversy surrounding bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the US, they will be introduced into South Korea over the next year and experience double-digit growth in Australia, driving the Asia Pacific bone graft substitute market through 2013. MRG's Asia Pacific Markets for Orthopedic Biomaterials 2009 report finds that the absence of BMPs in Japan will result in Japanese bone graft substitute market growth rates of only half those seen in Australia and South Korea from 2008 to 2013. In countries where BMPs are available, growing surgeon awareness of the potential of BMPs will be key to rapid adoption.

BMP adoption across Asia Pacific will vary. Although Japan accounts for over half of the value of the Asia Pacific bone graft substitute market, regulatory restrictions in the country have denied BMPs market entry; the products are not expected to win approval in the foreseeable future. Conversely, in Australia, high prices and favorable reimbursement for BMPs will fuel growth. South Korean surgeons have taken a conservative stance towards BMPs because of recent negative publicity regarding their usage in the US. Stryker's OP-1 and Medtronic Spinal & Biologics' INFUSE came under scrutiny beginning in 2008 due to their association with complications when used off-label in cervical fusions. Nonetheless, the South Korea-based Korea Bone Bank announced in August 2009 that it expects to fully launch its BMP-2 by the end of 2010.

"The release of a domestic competitor's product in Korea will generate renewed interest in BMPs and encourage the approval and adoption of other BMP products," says Deanna Vankessel, Analyst at MRG. "Through 2013, the ability of BMPs to stimulate the formation of new bone will fuel their adoption. We expect a growing number of surgeons to move away from the materials they are currently using and adopt BMPs."

MRG's new report, Asia Pacific Markets for Orthopedic Biomaterials 2009, provides important insight into the trends that will fuel product use and market growth for hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation and bone graft substitutes through 2013. Additionally, the report provides full breakdowns of hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation procedures and sales by number of injections and application, as well as bone graft substitute procedures and sales by material and application. This report includes five-year forecasts, up-to-date country-level market shares, and in-depth qualitative insights.