FDA Clears First Nanotechnology Peek Devices for Spinal Intervertebral Fusion

July 17, 2018

NASHUA, N.H.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Vallum Corporation, a medical device company, today announced that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) spinal interbody fusion device with a PEEKplus® nanotextured1 surface created by Vallum’s proprietary and patented Accelerated Neutral Atom Beam (ANAB) technology.

PEEKplus® is the first and only FDA-cleared nanotextured surface on a PEEK interbody device.

Vallum’s PEEKplus® nanotextured surface is unique in the spinal device market. Nano-scale concavities of 20-50 nanometers are created by the impact of argon atoms across the entire existing microsurface of the PEEK to create the nanotexture of PEEKplus®. Importantly, nanotexturing below 100 nanometers has been shown to be beneficial to osteoblast functions that are necessary to grow bone and promote fusion.2,3

PEEKplus is not a coating, it is not porous, and no chemicals are infused into the PEEK.

“Technological advances to improve the performance of implantable medical devices are taking many forms,” said Prof. Elazer R. Edelman, MD, PhD, who provided the earliest advice and encouragement to Vallum’s management team. “I believe one of the most important of those technological advances is surface modification at the nano-scale, and Vallum’s FDA clearance is a significant step down that very promising path.”

While this FDA clearance is specific to Vallum, its nanotexturing technology can be inexpensively applied to any fully manufactured PEEK interbody device without altering its design or size, and without affecting mechanical or chemical properties. Exact same PEEK interbody device – only now, truly differentiated in the spine market with a PEEKplus® nanotexture.

“Our PEEKplus® is a breakthrough innovation in spinal fusion surgery and the result of a collaborative effort among surgeons, researchers, ion beam scientists, and biomedical engineers,” said Stephen M. Blinn, President and CEO of Vallum. “A substantial investment in time and capital has been made in developing our proprietary ANAB processing technology as well as the nano-processing techniques and protocols used to produce PEEKplus®.”

Eric J. Woodard, M.D., Chairman of Vallum’s Medical Advisory Board, commented, “Receiving the first FDA clearance for a PEEK interbody fusion device incorporating nanotechnology is a tremendous milestone for Vallum. It is an important demonstration of Vallum’s leadership in developing advanced nano-processing technology for the spine and potentially for other orthopedic applications. It has been shown that nano-scale surface topographies generate osteogenic responses that drive bone growth required for a solid fusion. The ability to produce a nanotextured topography into the surface of a PEEK interbody device has the potential to set a new standard in the performance of spinal fusion interbody implants.”

About Vallum Corporation
Vallum is a medical device company headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire. It has developed advanced technology and processing protocols for nano-scale surface engineering of implantable medical devices. The company is currently focused on nano-scale surface modification of PEEK interbody fusion devices to improve their performance in spinal fusion.

The company’s management believes its advanced technology and processing protocols can ultimately be developed to improve other implantable orthopedic devices for treating disorders throughout the body. Accelerated Neutral Atom Beam (ANAB) technology and its medical applications for nano-scale surface modification, including PEEKplus®, are covered by multiple issued patents and trade secrets.

Vallum’s mission is to develop, produce and deliver innovative and disruptive nano-scale surface technologies to affordably improve implantable medical devices and thereby improve patient outcomes and quality of life. More information can be found at www.vallumcorp.com.

Upcoming Corporate Events
Vallum management will be presenting at the Medical Alley Innovation Summit being held in Minneapolis on October 2-3, 2018 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.

1 ISO/TS 80004-1:2015(en): Nanoscale-length range approximately from 1 nm to 100 nm
2 Ganesan Balasundaram and Thomas J. Webster. A perspective on nanophase materials for orthopedic implant applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry, Issue 38, 2006
3 Gabriel Colon. Brian C. Ward, Thomas J. Webster. Increased osteoblast and decreased Staphylococcus epidermidis functions on nanophase ZnO and TiO2. Published online 2 June 2006 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.30789

Contacts

Vallum Corporation
Stephen M. Blinn, 1-603-493-4457
President and CEO
sblinn@vallumcorp.com

ChoiceSpine™ Expands Its US Western Region Sales Team

ChoiceSpine LP, a privately-held spinal device manufacturer based in Knoxville, TN, announced the hiring of a Western Regional Sales Director and Clinical Sales Manager expanding its sales team and emphasizing its commitment to growth.

The two new additions to the sales team are:

  • Rajeev Shrikhande as Western Regional Sales Director; and
  • Aaron Logan as Clinical Sales Manager

“ChoiceSpine is committed to growth in all aspects of our business,” said Rick Henson and Marty Altshuler, co-founders of ChoiceSpine. “The addition of Rajeev and Aaron ensures our sales success in the Western region, a key contributor to our corporate revenue growth and product expansion.”

Rajeev was recently hired into his leadership position with over 8 years of successful spine sales experience. “Raj’s sales acumen, work ethic and industry knowledge fits well with our corporate strategy and the ChoiceSpine culture,” exclaimed Rick.

“Aaron is extremely knowledgeable in spinal anatomy, procedures and products. His knowledge, enthusiasm and passion are a welcome addition to our clinical sales team,” said Marty.

ChoiceSpine is appropriately positioned to quickly expand its Western region and grow its sales revenue in 2018 and beyond. The new additions to the team emphasize the company’s long-term strategic focus and expectations of industry-leading profitable growth.

About ChoiceSpine 
ChoiceSpine is a privately held spinal implant company located in Knoxville, TN. Founded in 2006, ChoiceSpine offers an extensive array of innovative, surgeon focused systems designed with the best clinical outcomes in mind.

In addition, ChoiceSpine offers a full regenerative and osteobiologics portfolio including synthetics, DBM’s, structural allograft, and amnion allografts. With cutting edge technologies like our Veo™ VLIF lateral fusion system, 3D printed additive manufacturing in TigerShark™, and the incorporation of our impregnated Hydroxyapatite (HA) PEEK® interbodies, ChoiceSpine is committed to always staying ahead of market trends and to provide surgeons with dynamic solutions for their patients.

AlloSource Awards Dr. Kevin Shea The Annual Dr. Steven Gitelis Inspiration Award

CENTENNIAL, Colo.July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AlloSource, one of the largest nonprofit cellular and tissue networks in the country, offering life-saving and life-enhancing solutions in orthopedic, spine, burn and wound procedures to help restore patient health and mobility, today announced that it will award Dr. Kevin Shea with its second annual Dr. Steven Gitelis Inspiration Award. The award honors a doctor or clinician that inspires AlloSource through his or her work in treating patients with allografts.

Dr. Shea recently joined the Stanford University School of Medicine as a professor of orthopedic surgery and also serves as director of the Stanford Children’s Health Sports Medicine Program. He specializes in the treatment of knee ligament and cartilage injuries, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), fractures, and pediatric trauma and is one of the founders of The ROCK Group, an organization dedicated to researching OCD and improving its treatment methods.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Dr. Shea.  “I look forward to continued advancements in the field of orthopedics.”

Dr. Shea has been crucial in coordinating efforts between The ROCK Group and AlloSource in research on OCD and other pediatric orthopedic conditions.  Dr. Shea works tirelessly to find unique uses for donated allograft material for pediatric orthopedic applications. In 2018, Dr. Shea was a recipient of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) Senior Achievement Award in recognition of his volunteer work for the AAOS and orthopedic community.

“Dr. Shea truly embodies the spirit of honoring the gift of tissue donation to help heal his patients,” said Thomas Cycyota, AlloSource president and CEO. “His commitment to research and improving treatment methods using donated tissue is an inspiration to all of us at AlloSource. We admire his dedication to the profession of orthopedic surgery and to his patients.”

The award honors a physician who understands and embraces the use of donated human tissue in surgical applications. The award is named after Dr. Steven Gitelis, a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon and one of the founders of AlloSource.

About AlloSource 

AlloSource is dedicated to advancing the science and use of transplantable allogeneic cells and tissue through pioneering research in regenerative therapies. The organization offers life-saving and life-enhancing solutions in orthopedic, spine, burn and wound procedures to help restore patient health and mobility. As a world leader in cell-based products, fresh cartilage tissue for joint repair and skin allografts to help heal severe burns, AlloSource’s products bridge the proven science of allografts with the advanced technology of cells. The company is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks and is headquartered in Centennial, CO. For more information, please visit allosource.org.

Media Contact 

Megan Duggan

AlloSource

720. 382. 2766

mduggan@allosource.org

                                                                                      

SOURCE AlloSource

Related Links

http://www.allosource.org

Zavation Announces 510(k) Clearance of the Normandy VBR System (Cervical and Thoracolumbar Expandable Corpectomy Cage)

FLOWOOD, Miss.July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Zavation, an employee-owned medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and distributes medical device products, announced today that it has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market Normandy VBR System (Cervical and Thoracolumbar Expandable Corpectomy Cage).

For More Information on Zavation’s Complete Product Portfolio, Visit: http://zavation.com/.

The Normandy VBR System is an adjustable height vertebral body replacement device that is implanted into the vertebral body space to provide structural stability in skeletally mature patients following corpectomy or vertebrectomy.  The system is comprised of spacers of various sizes and options to fit the anatomical needs of a wide variety of patients.  The device can be adjusted to the required height after implantation. The device is mechanically locked at the required height by means of a locking screw. Each spacer has an axial hole to allow autograft or allograft to be packed inside each spacer. Protrusions on the superior and inferior surfaces grip the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to resist expulsion. Components are manufactured from titanium alloy (Ti-6AL-4V) per ASTM F-136.

The Normandy VBR System is indicated for use in the cervical spine (C2-C7) and thoracolumbar spine (T1-L5) in skeletally mature patients for partial or total replacement of a diseased, collapsed, damaged, or unstable vertebral body due to tumor, osteomyelitis, trauma (i.e. fracture), or for reconstruction following corpectomy performed to achieve decompression of the spinal cord and neural tissues in degenerative disorders.

The Normandy VBR System is intended for use with autograft or allogenic bone graft comprised of cancellous and/or corticocancellous bone graft, as an adjunct to fusion. The Normandy VBR System is also intended to restore the integrity of the spinal column even in the absence of fusion for a limited time period in patients with advanced stage tumors involving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine in whom life expectancy is of insufficient duration to permit achievement of fusion, with bone graft used at the surgeon’s discretion.

The Normandy VBR System is intended to be used with FDA-cleared supplemental spinal fixation systems that have been labeled for use in the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar spine (i.e., posterior screw and rod systems, and anterior plate systems). When used at more than two levels, supplemental fixation should include posterior fixation.

Jeffrey Johnson (Zavation CEO) stated, “Our research and development team has hit a home run with this new expandable corpectomy device.  Not only is it one of the first expandable corpectomy devices cleared for cervical use; but the ease of insertion, ease of expansion, and large graft area sets a new industry standard!”

Zavation will showcase the Normandy VBR Corpectomy Cage System at the North American Spine Society (NASS) in Los Angeles, CA September 26-29, 2018.

About Zavation Medical Products, LLC– Based in Flowood, MS, Zavation designs, engineers, and manufactures a portfolio of spinal hardware covering key areas including thoracolumbar, cervical, interbody fusion, and minimally invasive surgery.

SOURCE Zavation

Related Links

http://zavation.com

EOS imaging Announces First Half 2018 Sales of €17.5 Million Supported by Strong Growth in Asia-Pacific and North America

July 17, 2018

PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Regulatory News:

EOS imaging (Paris:EOSI) (Euronext, FR0011191766 – EOSI – Eligible PEA – SME), the pioneer of orthopedic medical imaging, 2D/3D, today announced its non-audited consolidated sales revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

  • +11% sales growth over first half 2017 excluding forex impact1, driven by 36% growth in Asia-Pacific and 33% in North America (excluding forex impact), compensating partially postponed sales in EMEA
  • Notable increase of +4% in average selling price (ASP) despite significant forex impact, boosted by +22% rise in ASP in dollar over North America

Marie Meynadier, Chief Executive Officer of EOS imaging, commented“We experienced strong commercial dynamics in all regions, which are not fully represented by our second quarter 2018 sales revenues due to postponing to the second half of the year a number of equipment sales in EMEA, and to a lesser extent in North America. APAC delivered very strong growth. The positive market environment for EOS® technology is also reflected in the steady growth of the average selling price, an important area of focus for the Company. Despite a significant forex impact over the semester, ASP has improved in all regions, particularly in North America. The market demand for EOS® solutions continue to grow rapidly. We look forward to a very strong second half year and are confident regarding EOS imaging’s performance for the full year 2018.”

  • Sales for First Half 2018
Revenues / non-audited / € millions
As of June 30th
H1 2018 H1 2017 % change % change
excl. forex
impact
Sales of Equipments 13.61 13.15 4% 8%
Sales of maintenance contracts 3.46 2.83 22% 28%
Sales of consumables and services 0.48 0.49 -3% -3%
Total revenues 17.54 16.46 7% 11%

In the first half of 2018, EOS imaging generated revenue of €17.5 million, up +7% compared to the first half of 2017, including forex impact, i.e. €18.3 million, up +11% compared to H1 2017 excluding forex impact.

The Group sold 34 EOS® systems during the first half of the year, in line with H1 2017, with average selling price showing a +4% increase including forex impact (+8% excluded). Revenues from equipment sales was €13.6 million, up +4% compared to 2017 (+8% excluded forex impact).

Recurring revenues grew +19% to €3.9 million, including €3.5 million in maintenance revenue and €0.5 million in consumables and services revenues. The +22% rise in maintenance revenue reflects the continued increase in the installed base of EOS® systems under contract.

  • First Half 2018 Sales by geography
Revenues / non-audited / € millions
As of June 30th
H1 2018 H1 2017 % change
(excl. forex
impact)
EMEA 6.28 7.39 -16%
North America 6.83 5.74 19% (33%)
Asia-Pacific 4.44 3.34 36%
Total revenues 17.54 16.46 7% (11%)

First half 2018 revenue growth has been driven by strong sales in Asia-Pacific and North America but was partially offset by postponed sales in Europe-Middle-East-Africa (EMEA).

Revenue decreased -16% in EMEA as a result of delays in the three largest European markets of the Company (France, United Kingdom and Germany), where several sales decisions were postponed to the second half of the year.

In North America, revenues grew by 19% (33% excluding forex impact). In April, EOS imaging launched its dedicated private practice program, EOSone, which is expected to achieve its full impact over the coming months.

Revenues grew by 36% in Asia-Pacific, reflecting rapid adoption of the EOS® system in the region, particularly in Korea and Australia. No sales were recorded in China in the second half of 2018.

  • Sales for Second Quarter 2018
Revenues / non-audited / € millions 2018 2017
Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2
Equipment sales 7.56 6.05 5.47 7.67
Var. Q2 2017 / excl. forex impact -21%/-14%
As a % of total revenues 79% 76% 77% 82%
Sales of maintenance contracts 1.72 1.74 1.40 1.43
Var. Q2 2017 / excl. forex impact +21%/+32%
As a % of total revenues 18% 22% 19% 15%
Sales of consumables and services 0.26 0.21 0.26 0.23
Var. Q2 2017 / excl. forex impact -7%/-6%
As a % of total revenues 3% 3% 4% 3%
Total revenues 9.54 8.00 7.13 9.34
Var. Q2 2017 / excl. forex impact -14%/-6%

In the second quarter of 2018, EOS imaging achieved revenues of €8.0 million, compared to €9.3 million in second quarter of 2017 (-6% at constant forex), mainly due to sales postponements in EMEA.

The Company sold 15 EOS® systems over the quarter at an average selling price of €404 thousand, up +5% from the second quarter of 2017. Excluding forex impact, the average selling price for the North America region in the second quarter was up 33% from that of the same period last year.

  • Update on Cash Position

In the first half of the year, EOS imaging has refinanced its debt with IPF and successfully raised €29.5 million in convertible notes to fully reimburse that debt and suppress all associated pledges.

This has allowed the Company to enter into a first agreement to factor part of its receivables, that will be broadened in the second half year. As of June 30th, 2018, EOS imaging had €8.9 million in cash covering its financing needs for the next 12 months.

  • Signature of a binding agreement with Fosun Pharmaceuticals AG related to an equity investment

EOS imaging also announces today the signature of a binding agreement with Fosun Pharmaceutical AG, an indirect subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., related to an equity investment to be made by Fosun Pharmaceutical AG through an issuance of EOS imaging news shares. For more information, please refer to the dedicated press release published today on EOS imaging’s website: www.eos-imaging.com.

Next financial release: Announcement of 2018 Half-Year results on September 13th, 2018

ABOUT EOS IMAGING

EOS imaging is listed on Compartment C of Euronext Paris
ISIN: FR0011191766 – Ticker: EOSI

EOS imaging designs, develops and markets EOS®, a major innovative medical imaging solution dedicated to osteoarticular pathologies and orthopedics combining equipment and services and targeting a $2B per year market opportunity. EOS imaging is currently present in 31 countries, including the United States under FDA agreement, Japan, China and the European Union under CE labelling, through the over 250 installed EOS® platforms representing around one million patient exams every year. Revenues were €37.1M in 2017, e.g. a +32% CAGR over 2012-2017.

For more information, please visit www.eos-imaging.com.

EOS imaging has been selected to integrate the EnterNext © PEA – PME 150 index, composed of 150 French, listed companies on the Euronext markets in Paris.

1 Forex impact: impact of the variation of the euro / foreign currencies exchange rate, mostly due to variation in euro / US dollar exchange rate. Variations excluded forex impact are calculated based on the average of exchange rates over H1 2017.

Contacts

EOS imaging
Marie Meynadier, Ph: +33 (0)1 55 25 60 60
CEO
investors@eos-imaging.com
or
Press Relations (US)
Joanna Zimmerman, Ph: 646-536-7006
The Ruth Group
jzimmerman@theruthgroup.com
or
Investor Relations (US)
Matt Picciano / Emma Poalillo
Ph: 646-536-7008 / 7024
The Ruth Group
EOS-imagingIR@theruthgroup.com

K2M Enhances CASCADIA™ Lateral 3D Interbody System Featuring Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology™ Following Clearances for CAYMAN® United Plate System

LEESBURG, Va., July 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — K2M Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTWO) (the “Company” or “K2M”), a global leader of complex spine and minimally invasive solutions focused on achieving three-dimensional Total Body Balance, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and a CE Mark for its CAYMAN® United Plate System following completion of its first surgical cases. CAYMAN United is designed for rigid fixation to K2M’s CASCADIA Lateral 3D Interbody System featuring Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology, the first and only 3D-printed cage with modular fixation capabilities. K2M was the first leading spine company to market a 3D-printed titanium interbody device and offers the most comprehensive portfolio of 3D-printed spinal devices on the market.

“The CAYMAN United Plate System, which firmly fixates to K2M’s CASCADIA Lateral 3D implants, is a notable advancement,” said Robert Lee, FRCS (Tr&Orth), a spine surgeon at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust in Stanmore, UK. “Its streamlined technique and versatile insertion options provide an elegant solution for my minimally invasive lateral cases, while also utilizing a 3D-printed device to encourage bony integration throughout the implant.”

The CAYMAN United Plate System’s single level, 1- and 2- hole plate configurations precisely match all CASCADIA Lateral 3D height and lordosis options, allowing surgeons to customize the construct using a lateral approach. Single-level plate sizes minimize retraction required for placement and an assembly alignment feature keys into the CASCADIA implants to resist rotation. Versatile insertion options allow for plate assembly with a central assembly screw prior to implantation, or in-situ after the cage has been placed.

“We are excited to receive FDA clearance and a CE Mark for our CAYMAN United Plate System, designed to enhance our CASCADIA Lateral 3D Interbody System and making it the first and only 3D-printed cage available on the market with modular fixation capabilities,” said K2M Chairman, President, and CEO, Eric Major. “As a leading innovator of 3D-printed spinal solutions, we remain committed to developing advanced technologies that when complemented by our comprehensive Balance ACS platform, help surgeons facilitate 3D spinal balance in their patients.”

K2M’s Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology uses an advanced 3D printing method to create structures that are impossible with traditional manufacturing techniques. Starting with a titanium powder, the CASCADIA implants are grown through the selective application of a high-energy laser beam, incorporating complex internal geometries and rough surface architecture that pre-clinical data have associated with bone growth activity.

Balance ACS® (or BACS®) provides surgical solutions focused on achieving balance of the spine by addressing each anatomical vertebral segment with a 360-degree approach of the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes, emphasizing Total Body Balance as an important component of surgical success.

For more information on the CASCADIA Lateral 3D Interbody System featuring Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology and the CAYMAN United Plate System, visit www.K2M.com. For more information on Balance ACS, visit www.BACS.com.

About K2M

K2M Group Holdings, Inc. is a global leader of complex spine and minimally invasive solutions focused on achieving three-dimensional Total Body Balance. Since its inception, K2M has designed, developed, and commercialized innovative complex spine and minimally invasive spine technologies and techniques used by spine surgeons to treat some of the most complicated spinal pathologies. K2M has leveraged these core competencies into Balance ACS, a platform of products, services, and research to help surgeons achieve three-dimensional spinal balance across the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes, with the goal of supporting the full continuum of care to facilitate quality patient outcomes. The Balance ACS platform, in combination with the Company’s technologies, techniques and leadership in the 3D-printing of spinal devices, enable K2M to compete favorably in the global spinal surgery market. For more information, visit www.K2M.com and connect with us on FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect current views with respect to, among other things, operations and financial performance.  Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts such as our statements about our expected financial results and guidance and our expectations for future business prospects.  In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as, “outlook,” “guidance,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. 

Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties including, among other things: our ability to achieve or sustain profitability in the future; our ability to demonstrate to spine surgeons and hospital customers the merits of our products and to retain their use of our products; pricing pressures and our ability to compete effectively generally; collaboration and consolidation in hospital purchasing; inadequate coverage and reimbursement for our products from third-party payers; lack of long-term clinical data supporting the safety and efficacy of our products; dependence on a limited number of third-party suppliers; our ability to maintain and expand our network of direct sales employees, independent sales agencies and international distributors and their level of sales or distribution activity with respect to our products; proliferation of physician-owned distributorships in the industry; decline in the sale of certain key products; loss of key personnel; our ability to enhance our product offerings through research and development; our ability to maintain adequate working relationships with healthcare professionals; our ability to manage expected growth; our ability to successfully acquire or invest in new or complementary businesses, products or technologies; our ability to educate surgeons on the safe and appropriate use of our products; costs associated with high levels of inventory; impairment of our goodwill and intangible assets; disruptions to our corporate headquarters and operations facilities or critical information technology systems or those of our suppliers, distributors or surgeon users; our ability to ship a sufficient number of our products to meet demand; our ability to strengthen our brand; fluctuations in insurance cost and availability; our ability to remediate the material weaknesses in our IT general controls; our ability to comply with extensive governmental regulation within the United States and foreign jurisdictions; our ability to maintain or obtain regulatory approvals and clearances within the United States and foreign jurisdictions; voluntary corrective actions by us or our distribution or other business partners or agency enforcement actions; recalls or serious safety issues with our products; enforcement actions by regulatory agencies for improper marketing or promotion; misuse or off-label use of our products; delays or failures in clinical trials and results of clinical trials; legal restrictions on our procurement, use, processing, manufacturing or distribution of allograft bone tissue; negative publicity concerning methods of tissue recovery and screening of donor tissue; costs and liabilities relating to environmental laws and regulations; our failure or the failure of our agents to comply with fraud and abuse laws; U.S. legislative or Food and Drug Administration regulatory reforms; adverse effects associated with the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; adverse effects of medical device tax provisions; potential tax changes in jurisdictions in which we conduct business; our ability to generate significant sales; potential fluctuations in sales volumes and our results of operations over the course of a fiscal year; uncertainty in future capital needs and availability of capital to meet our needs; our level of indebtedness and the availability of borrowings under our credit facility; restrictive covenants and the impact of other provisions in the indenture governing our convertible  senior notes and our credit facility; worldwide economic instability; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; patent litigation and product liability lawsuits; damages relating to trade secrets or non-competition or non-solicitation agreements; risks associated with operating internationally; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our ability to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar laws; increased costs and additional regulations and requirements as a result of being a public company; our ability to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; potential volatility in our stock price; our lack of current plans to pay cash dividends; potential dilution by the future issuances of additional common stock in connection with our incentive plans, acquisitions or otherwise; anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and our ability to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval; potential limits on our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements.  These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and our filings with the SEC.

We operate in a very competitive and challenging environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur, and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Unless specifically stated otherwise, our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, investments or other strategic transactions we may make.

Media Contact:
Zeno Group on behalf of K2M Group Holdings, Inc.
Christian Emering, 212-299-8985
Christian.Emering@ZenoGroup.com

Investor Contact:
Westwicke Partners on behalf of K2M Group Holdings, Inc.
Mike Piccinino, CFA, 443-213-0500
K2M@westwicke.com

EOS imaging And Fosun Pharmaceutical AG Enter into an Agreement for a Significant Equity Investment

July 17, 2018

PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Regulatory News:

EOS imaging (Paris:EOSI) (Euronext, FR0011191766 – EOSI), the pioneer of orthopedic medical imaging 2D / 3D, today announced that it entered into a binding agreement with Fosun Pharmaceutical AG, an indirect subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (Fosun Pharma, stock code: 600196.SH, 02196.HK), related to an equity investment to be made by Fosun Pharmaceutical AG through an issuance of EOS imaging news shares.

At the closing of the investment, the Company will issue 3,446,649 new shares to be subscribed by Fosun Pharmaceutical AG at a nominal value of €0.01, for a price per share of €4.37, issue premium included, which amounts to a total amount of c. €15.1m. The price per share negotiated between the parties represents a discount of 6.8% on the closing price on July 16th, 2018, and a discount of 9.2% on the volume weighted average share price of the Company’s shares on the regulated market of Euronext Paris over the last 20 trading days prior to the signature of the subscription agreement. Fosun Pharma, through Fosun Pharmaceutical AG, will hold approximately 13.2% of the sum of the Company’s existing Shares and the shares subscribed by Fosun Pharma post transaction (on a non diluted basis and taking into account shareholding and voting rights of the Company at the date of this press release) and will be the largest shareholder of the Company.

Marie Meynadier, CEO of EOS imaging says: “We are very happy to welcome Fosun Pharma, a strategic investor in healthcare with acumen in capital equipment, joining EOS imaging. After the strong investment made by the Company in the US in 2017 and early 2018, this important step reinforces our presence in the Asia-Pacific region and, together with our historical European base, completes our global strategy of strengthened presence in the Company’s three major markets. We look forward to continuing to develop EOS imaging and making available the EOS® technology to a growing number of patients worldwide, amongst which the Chinese population. Companies within Fosun are key players in the high growth global market and will undoubtfully contribute to this development.

Chen Qiyu, co-president of Fosun International and chairman of Fosun Pharma says: “We are very pleased to have EOS imaging to join Fosun family and to bring its intelligent imaging solutions to the Group. EOS imaging is a global medical device company that develops and markets advanced imaging and image-based solutions for musculoskeletal pathologies and orthopedic surgical care. EOS imaging’s mission is ‘connect imaging to care’ which fully complements Fosun’s mission of creating happier life for families worldwide. With the joining of EOS imaging, it will further enhance and complement Fosun Pharma’s existing resources in medical diagnosis.

The completion of the investment is subject to the approvals from Chinese government authorities and to the visa of the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers, the French market authority) on a prospectus consisting of the Document de Référence filed with the AMF on April 27th, 2018 under number D.18-0439, and a Note d’Opération which will include a summary of the prospectus. The regulated information related to the Company and the Company’s press releases can be found on the Company website. The Company also publishes today a press release for the first half 2018 Sales.

The investment will be implemented on the basis of the delegation granted by the shareholders extraordinary general meeting dated May 18th, 2018, to the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant to the 20th resolution of such shareholders meeting. On an illustrative basis, a shareholder holding 1% of EOS imaging’s capital before the investment will then hold a stake of 0.87% (on a non diluted basis and taking into account shareholding and voting rights of the Company at the date of this press release).

Following the resignation of Ms Paula Ness Spears from her Board position, Mr Antoine Vidal representing Fosun Pharmaceutical AG will be appointed at the closing of the investment as Board member by co-optation of the Board of Directors of the Company. His co-optation will be ratified at the next Shareholders’ meeting. The Company will do all its best efforts to propose to the shareholders meeting the appointment, before the end of 2018, of an independent director in order to comply with the recommendations of the Middlenext governance code.

In addition, the Company undertakes to offer the possibility to Fosun Pharmaceutical AG to participate in any future dilutive issuance of equity carried out with cancellation of the preferential subscription right and authorized by the General Meeting of Shareholders, during a period of five years after closing and for so long as Fosun Pharmaceutical AG holds, directly or indirectly, at least 25% of the shares subscribed at the closing of the investment. No specific clause for bearance or retention of the shares subscribed is provided for in the context of this transaction. There is no related agreement to this transaction between the parties concurrently with the signing of the investment agreement.

The issuance of the new shares to Fosun Pharmaceutical AG and their admission to trading on Euronext Paris are expected to occur after the approval by the relevant Chinese government authorities and the visa from the AMF on the prospectus. The new shares will then be admitted to trading on the Euronext regulated market in Paris under ISIN FR0011191766 – EOSI. EOS imaging’s share capital will consist of

26,130,407 shares following the settlement-delivery.

Agile Capital Markets acted as a financial advisor to the Company.

Next financial release: Announcement of 2018 Half-Year results on September 13th, 2018

ABOUT EOS IMAGING

EOS imaging is listed on Compartment C of Euronext Paris
ISIN: FR0011191766 – Ticker: EOSI

EOS imaging designs, develops and markets EOS®, a major innovative medical imaging solution dedicated to osteoarticular pathologies and orthopedics combining equipment and services and targeting a $2B per year market opportunity. EOS imaging is currently present in 31 countries, including the United States under FDA agreement, Japan, China and the European Union under CE labelling, through the over 250 installed EOS® platforms representing around one million patient exams every year. Revenues were €37.1M in 2017, e.g. a +32% CAGR over 2012-2017.

For more information, please visit www.eos-imaging.com.

EOS imaging has been selected to integrate the EnterNext © PEA – PME 150 index, composed of 150 French, listed companies on the Euronext markets in Paris.

ABOUT FOSUN PHARMA

Established in 1994, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (“Fosun Pharma”; stock code: 600196.SH, 02196.HK) is a leading healthcare group in China. Adhering to the mission of improving human health, Fosun Pharma’s business covers all key sectors of healthcare industry chain, including pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D, healthcare services, medical devices and medical diagnosis, as well as pharmaceutical distribution and retail. Fosun Pharma always regards innovation as the driving force for its business growth. The company continuously optimizes its pharmaceutical R&D system that integrates biosimilars and innovative drugs and has established international R&D teams in China, the United States, India, etc., forming a globally interactive R&D system. Fosun Pharma maintains a national recognized enterprise technology center and establishes innovative chemical drugs platform, biologics platform, high-value generic drugs platform and cellular immunotherapy platform. At present, Fosun Pharma maintains the leading position with its core products in various therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, blood system, metabolism and alimentary system and anti-infection. All products occupy the leading position in each market segment.

Looking forward, Fosun Pharma will adhere to the brand philosophy of “Innovation for Good Health”. Focusing on the unmet needs in the medical field, it will adhere to the development model of “organic growth, external expansion and integrated development” under the guidance of “4IN” strategy (Innovation, Internationalization, Integration, Intelligentization), striving to become a first-tier enterprise in the global mainstream pharmaceutical and healthcare market.

Contacts

EOS imaging
Marie Meynadier
CEO
Ph: +33 (0)1 55 25 60 60
investors@eos-imaging.com
or
Press Relations (US)
Joanna Zimmerman
The Ruth Group
Ph: 646-536-7006
jzimmerman@theruthgroup.com
or
Investor Relations (US)
Matt Picciano / Emma Poalillo
The Ruth Group
Ph: 646-536-7008 / 7024
EOS-imagingIR@theruthgroup.com

Docs shouldn’t be held accountable for healthcare costs, NEJM survey finds

July 16, 2018 – Author,

Dive Brief:

  • Executive and clinician respondents to a new NEJM Catalyst survey said knowing out-of-pocket costs is important to patients and more than 60% said physicians are responsible for educating patients about these costs. However, nearly half don’t think physicians should be held accountable for those costs.
  • Slightly more than three-fourths of respondents said their organizations consider the cost to the practice and system when making clinical decisions. A slightly lower number (72%) said they consider patient out-of-pocket costs, while 68% said they think about the total cost of care.
  • Respondents said the stakeholders that have the biggest impact on healthcare costs are pharmaceutical/biotech companies (87%), health plans (81%) and hospitals/health systems/physician organizations (75%). Only 28% pointed the finger at individual clinicians and even fewer blamed employers (26%) and patients (23%).

Dive Insight:

These results show that thought leaders believe physicians should play a role, but shouldn’t be penalized for the actual cost of care. Plus, other healthcare stakeholders are encouraged to improve processes and tools to better educate patients on costs.

The findings come as more payers are pushing providers into value-based contracting. The different payment method incentivizes and penalizes physicians and health systems to keep costs under control and provide a minimum level of care quality. The concept behind value-based payment does include holding doctors accountable for costs to an extent.

 

READ THE REST HERE

 

Hospitals must overcome these challenges to transition from fee for service to value-based care

JUL 16, 2018 – Jeff Lagasse, Associate Editor

There’s a lot of work involved in making the transition from fee-for-service payment models to performance-based arrangements. Changes are needed to outdated delivery models, there needs to be more responsibility for care coordination, and providers are tasked with finding ways to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Jeff Smith, senior vice president and head of U.S. markets at Lumeris, said addressing these issues positions health systems to solve the dilemma created by the industry’s long-standing structural separation of care delivery — its costs, reimbursement, and quality — by integrating actionable intelligence, information, workflows incentives and tools.

This, he said, creates a new paradigm of behaviors that drives better clinical outcomes, lowers cost and creates superior engagement and satisfaction among providers and consumers.

It’s an issue that Lumeris and Cerner are attempting to tackle with a new partnership that has created Maestro Advantage, which combines the technology of both companies and allows providers to streamline redundant services — a nagging problem in the volume-to-value shift.

These redundant services include “lengthy claims processing and reimbursement cycles, and obstacles to sharing data and records,” Smith said. “Healthcare must continue to shift its focus from a system focused on sick care to well care — a system that promotes health and wellness. The transition to value-based care is a long journey.”

The shift to value creates other challenges as well. Increasingly, providers are determining physician pay through a number of different means. The options include straight salary, compensation based on personal productivity (as has been the case in a fee-for-service world), bonus structures and tying pay to an organization’s overall financial performance.

 

READ THE REST HERE

 

Acron Medical Announces FDA 510(k) Clearance of its Signature PEEK TLIF Interbody System, the ACRON Interbody

Acron Medical, LLC (http://www.Acron-Medical.com), part of the spineMED Group, is a spine technology organization, dedicated to developing and commercializing globally innovative spinal implants. The company is proud to announce that it has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its signature new technology, the ACRON TLIF Interbody system.

“The ACRON Interbody is an exciting innovation for safe & stable thoracolumbar interbody fusion,” says Christian Schawrda, Acron Medical’s Co-Founder and CEO. “The engineering behind the development of the cage makes it the gold standard for surgeons looking for solid anchorage and optimal load distribution between the implant to protect osteoporotic patients from bone subsidence. The cage is designed to be strategically placed along the outer rim of the endplates, or ring apophysis, with superior load-bearing capacity. That approach, maximizes the strength of the fusion construct, increases fusion rates and minimizes the risk of subsidence.”

The ACRON is made of PEEK-OPTIMA, a material with a proven clinical history and a modulus of elasticity similar to bone. It also comes with a graft chamber and side windows to facilitate the formation of a robust fusion column.

The system includes a full range of implant sizes and heights that are carefully designed to accommodate different types of vertebral anatomy, and to allow surgeons to address each patient’s sagittal plane requirements.

Andreas Bernegger, Acron Medical’s Co-Founder says, “The ACRON comes to the United States after 3 years of clinical validation in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The launch of the technology in the United States is major milestone for our group. We are currently looking for distributors and strategic partners around the country.”

Acron Medical’s management team will be attending NASS in September in Los Angeles (Sep 26-29) and is looking forward to many fruitful discussions with potential partners. For more information on Acron Medical, please visit http://www.Acron-Medical.com.

About Acron Medical, LLC. 
Acron Medical is the US subsidiary of the spineMED group, based in Austria. Acron Medical founded in 2017, has leveraged its Austrian DNA, 35 years of clinical experience and the core competencies of the spineMED Group to develop a range of clinical relevant spinal technologies. The ACRON TLIF, as well as all the technologies in the spineMED R&D pipeline, are designed to harmoniously combined the latest scientific advances with intuitive designs and instrumentation. Additional information is available online at http://www.Acron-Medical.com.