Amedica announces US Spine acquisition

Amedica Corporation (AC), a spinal and orthopaedic implant and instrument company focused on unique silicon nitride (SiN) ceramic technologies, announced today that it has acquired US Spine, a privately held, well-known medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of advanced spinal implant systems.  Development efforts at Boca Raton-based US Spine have produced several unique technologies that are in the market, including certain facet technologies that address open, MIS, allograft, and deformity correction procedures, complementing existing spinal implant and device product lines from Amedica.

This pure play acquisition, the first in the spinal device industry in 2010, continues the significant expansion plans of Amedica to become an important platform technology concern in both the spinal and orthopaedic reconstruction markets.  Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Amedica, based in Salt Lake City, is a spinal implant company that manufactures and markets silicon nitride technologies that are now being utilized in spinal implant applications; however, the unique SiN materials have market changing characteristics for hip, knee and extremity implant applications, as well.  The material is fracture resistant; its bearing/articulating surfaces do not produce wear debris that is linked to osteolysis-related re-operations.  Additionally, the implants are BioActive™ with a hydrophilic and conductive micro-structure surface to enhance bone in-growth and solid attachment.

The US Spine acquisition properly positions Amedica as a well balanced company in the spinal device market, completing its full-line of spinal implants and instruments and expanding its spinal device offerings to cover all spinal surgery indications including several minimally invasive techniques, PEEK and silicon nitride interbody spacers, biologics and deformity correction procedures.

Ben Shappley, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Amedica says, "This acquisition will clearly enable Amedica to establish itself as a complete and full-line spinal implant concern with leading edge technologies including, and further integrating, the very unique silicon nitride advantage.  As a result of this transaction, Amedica has doubled its distribution network and sales and marketing management and enhanced its international presence."

Earlier this year, Amedica signed a Joint Venture Development Agreement with Orthopaedic Synergy (OSI), a global reconstructive hip and knee implant and instrument concern that designs, manufactures and distributes its products. OSI is known for leading edge innovation, cost-effective, outcome-focused implant systems and deep orthopaedic executive management experience.  

The joint venture between Amedica and OSI allows the development, regulatory approval and distribution of SiN articulating hip and knee implants in the U.S. and abroad.  This agreement further secures both companies' competitive positions in the largest global segment of orthopaedic care.

Amedica also recently received four new patents – one for ceramic-on-ceramic bearings, one for a hip implant using monoblock silicon nitride technology, one for silicon nitride knee components and one for its motion-preserving total disc replacement technology.  The company has quite an extensive spinal, hip and knee intellectual property portfolio.  This year Amedica also partnered with SUNY Upstate Medical University to measure, and further prove clinically, the fusion performance in Silicon Nitride implant devices.

"We are on a well-planned and well-financed growth trajectory that will continue to expand our company and the global reach of its spinal and orthopaedic implant technologies through acquisitions, strategic alliances, and research and product development projects well into the future," Shappley said.

SOURCE Amedica Corporation