Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1468175
42 DEVICES & IMPLANTS Stryker sets sights on health IT with splashy $3.1B acquisition By Alan Condon S tryker has acquired 46 companies in its 81-year history, including 14 in the last five years. Its most recent acquisition, Vocera Communications, was fi- nalized in February for $3.1 billion. But what does Stryker have planned for the health IT company? e deal has been described as a "natural fit" for Vocera by BTIG analyst Ryan Zimmer- man, who also said it appears Stryker is expanding beyond its core medtech focus. For Stryker, the acquisition offers "signifi- cant opportunities to advance innovations and accelerate our digital aspirations" a core focus for the future, CEO Kevin Lobo said in a Feb. 23 news release. e company said it is interested in Vocera's "highly complementary and innovative portfolio" of clinical communication and workflow products — used in nearly 1,900 healthcare facilities — to help connect caregivers and "disparate data-generating medical devices." Specifically, Vocera's soware and hardware for remote communication complements Stryker's advanced digital healthcare of- ferings and will help its customers prevent adverse events throughout the care continu- um, according to the release. Vocera's latest technology, a wearable, voice-driven device that allows mobile healthcare workers to communicate hands-free, launched in March. e device integrates with various clinical and opera- tional systems and enables those in isolated environments to stay connected, ask for help, access information and request supplies without having to leave the bedside or re- move personal protective equipment. Vocera CEO Brent Lang said the Stryker acquisition is "an exciting opportunity for Vocera, given the clear alignment of mission, goals and culture between our two organizations and our ability to drive even greater economic and clinical value for our customers." n Meet SeaSpine's new chief scientific officer By Alan Condon F rank Vizesi, PhD, has been appointed chief scien- tific officer of SeaSpine after seven years with the company. Six details: 1. Dr. Vizesi will continue to lead the development of SeaSpine's orthobiologics portfolio and work with leaders of the spinal implant and enabling technology business to drive research across all product lines, according to a March 7 news release. 2. Under Dr. Vizesi's leadership, SeaSpine deepened its re- search to differentiate its demineralized bone matrix portfolio. The company now holds the No. 2 position in the U.S. DBM market, according to Keith Valentine, president and CEO. 3. Research on SeaSpine's DBM products has been pub- lished in peer-reviewed journals, including The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 4. SeaSpine also promoted Shaeffer Bannigan to vice pres- ident of product development for spinal implants. 5. Since 2018, when Mr. Brannigan joined SeaSpine, he has helped execute more than 45 product launches. 6. More than 75 percent of SeaSpine's spinal implants revenue comes from products launched within the last five years, according to the release. n Artificial disc replacement market to double by 2028: 5 notes By Alan Condon T he artificial disc replacement industry, which accumulated almost $502 million in 2021 reve- nue, is projected to reach $1.1 billion by 2028, according to a report by Zion Market Research. Five notes: 1. From 2022-28, the market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 11.8 percent. 2. The rise in minimally invasive surgeries, an increase in disc degeneration cases in individuals with inactive lifestyles and a surge in the aging population prone to disc disorders will contribute to market growth. 3. Low reimbursements for disc replacements and the high cost of implants is projected could stunt market growth during the forecast period, according to the report. 4. The report also predicts that the product availability for cervical disc replacement surgeries will boost de- mand for cervical artificial discs in the coming years. 5. Key spine companies in the disc replacement sector include Zimmer Biomet, Centinel Spine, Medtronic, Globus Medical, Orthofix, NuVasive, Aesculap and AxioMed. n