Invibio Driving PEEK Optima Devices Into China

Thornton Cleveleys (UK) – At the 10th Annual Congress of the Chinese Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (CAOS), long-standing development partners Invibio Biomaterial Solutions, UK, and China’s Double Medical Technology Inc. ("Double Medical") collaborated on an interbody spine surgery workshop to help expand knowledge of the implantation of Double Medical’s Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion (DLIF) spinal cages made with PEEK-OPTIMA™. The biomaterial PEEK-OPTIMA polymer by Invibio was introduced to medical device manufacturers in China after the approval by the China Federal Drug Administration (CFDA) in 2004.

Hosted in conjunction with the North American Spine Society (NASS), the CAOS workshop “Principles and Techniques of Complex Spine Surgery Workshop” took place on May 12, 2017, at the Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, in Guangzhou. The event was the fifth joint NASS-CAOS workshop and delivered a full day of hands-on cadaver labs with over one hundred surgeons attending and multiple one-hour product demonstrations streamed live to the audience, including the demonstration of Double Medical and medical-grade PEEK innovator Invibio.

Double Medical, a large medical equipment group whose broad product range includes orthopaedic implants, dental implants, general surgical products, neurosurgical products and electronic medical devices, and Invibio have been working together since 2009. At this jointly planned NASS-CAOS event, the two companies demonstrated a Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion (DLIF) spinal cage made with PEEK-OPTIMA and showed how the DLIF cage, which has already been used in lumbar surgeries, can provide a better overall therapeutic experience for patients.

Innovation in action

"The design of this state-of-the-art DLIF cage incorporates advances in medical technology contributed by both our companies," commented Michael Veldman, global strategic marketing manager at Invibio. During the NASS-CAOS workshop he delivered a short introduction on PEEK-OPTIMA, its potential clinical benefits and outlined how the adoption of the new PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced is progressing, both globally and within China.

Veldman said, “It is important to note that advanced surgical technique now allows the placement of the DLIF Cage across the disc space, while avoiding the anterior vessels, and the posterior neural and bony elements. As well, the bullet-nose design allows for ease of insertion, while autogenous bone graft or bone graft substitute are accommodated, allowing fusion to occur through the cage. This is a remarkable design. It's innovation in action."

Double Medical is driving progress based on Invibio's implantable biocompatible polymers into China and globally. Double Medical´s orthopaedic implants are a leading product in the domestic market in China, and the company has branches in more than 30 of China's provinces and cities. Double Medical is also cooperating with more than 3,500 hospitals and nearly 1,000 business enterprises in China; its products have been exported to more than 40 countries and regions that include the US, EU, Russia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and South Africa.

"At Double Medical it is our professional goal, as a specialist in medical products, to be in the top three of the industry in China," said Jack Zhu, Sales Director at Double Medical's Spine Business Unit. The company is one of the key high-tech enterprises of China's National Torch Plan.* "We will do this by implementing a strategy to diversify our products for the medical field, to become a comprehensive supplier of high-value, high-quality medical materials. The cooperation with Invibio, over a number of years, is central to that policy, where innovation is key. With Invibio, we have been able to launch medical products that utilise new technology and build an innovation-driven enterprise."

Worldwide, the number of implanted medical devices that incorporate PEEK-OPTIMA polymer has increased to around nine million. Invibio is building on this pioneering success, working within China's flourishing and advanced medical sector, where enhanced therapeutic technologies and techniques are being prioritised by official government policy.

Developed by Invibio, a leading provider of biomaterial solutions, PEEK-OPTIMA polymer solutions are widely recognized for spinal interbody fusion and are frequently used in medical applications. The advanced material offers a variety of clinical advantages including a modulus close to that of human bone, reduced stress shielding and, in contrast to metals, artifact-free imaging that allows for clear fusion assessment.

* The National Torch Plan was established in 1988, by China's Ministry of Science and Technology, to encourage innovation and promote the development of China's high-tech industry. Projects and enterprises listed in the plan have access to a series of support programs for projects in new technological fields, such as new material, biotechnology, electronic information, integrative mechanical-electrical technology, and advanced energy-saving technology.

About Double Medical Technology Inc

. Founded in 2004, Double Medical Technology Inc. is one of the key high-tech enterprises listed on the National Torch Plan and today a large medical equipment group. The broad product portfolio includes orthopaedic implants, dental implants, general surgery products, neurosurgery products, medical electronic devices. Double Medical´s orthopaedic implants are a leader in the domestic market in China. The company has branches in over 30 provinces and cities and is cooperating with more than 3,500 hospitals and nearly 1,000 business enterprises in China; its products have been exported to more than 40 countries and regions that include the US, EU, Russia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and South Africa. For more information, please visit www.double-medical.com/en

About Invibio Biomaterial Solutions

Invibio, a Victrex plc company, is a global leader in providing high performance biomaterial solutions to medical device manufacturers. The company provides PEEK-OPTIMA™ polymers, advanced technical research and support, and manufacturing of components for spine, trauma and orthopaedic medical segments for the development of long-term implantable medical devices. Today, Invibio’s PEEK-OPTIMA™ polymers are used in ~9 million implanted devices worldwide. For more information, please visit https://invibio.com

About Victrex plc

Victrex is an innovative world leader in high performance polymer solutions, focussed on the strategic markets of automotive, aerospace, energy, electronics and medical. Every day, millions of people use products and applications, which contain our materials – from smart phones, airplanes and cars to oil and gas operations and medical devices. With over 35 years’ experience, we develop world leading solutions in PEEK and PAEK-based polymers, semi-finished and finished parts, which shape future performance for our customers and our markets, and drive value for our shareholders. Find out more at www.victrex.com