DePuy Spine Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, has launched the VERTIGRAFT® VG1® CERVICAL ALLOGRAFT, an innovative bio-implant for anterior cervical fusion surgery designed to align with the spinal anatomy for maximum stability and freeze-dried for easy storage. VG1 CERVICAL’s trapezoidal design matches the anatomy of the cervical spine and its open central chamber allows surgeons to add graft material of their choice.

The European Commission has approved a new indication of Eli Lilly and Company’s FORSTEO(R) teriparatide injection in osteoporosis, along with sustained, systemic glucocorticoid therapy. The product supports new bone formation by helping the osteoblasts. Teriparatide was initially approved for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in 2003 and then received an expanded indication for osteoporosis in men in 2007.

Pioneer Surgical Technology Inc. has announced the successful human implantation of its next generation cervical total disc replacement (TDR), NuNec Cervical Arthroplasty Device. The surgeries were conducted on patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) otherwise indicated for standard fusion surgery. Unlike many cervical disc devices, the radiolucency of the PEEK material in NuNec causes no artifact in MRI or CT imaging and is easiest to implant.

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DSM will be introducing its high-performance Dyneema Purity® polyethylene fiber portfolio at the World Biomaterials Congress. The new material has been developed to fulfill the need for strong, stable orthopedic implants. DSM is investing substantial resources to tailor the material to specific medical and surgical requirements and intends to work with the medical device companies in an effort to improve patient outcomes.