Expanding Orthopedics Awarded Chinese Patent

It’s celebration time for the spine gurus at Expanding Orthopedics Inc. (EOI). The company is announcing that it has been granted a Chinese patent for its XPED System, an expandable pedicle screw with instrumentation.

Mark Levy, M.D. an orthopedic surgeon, founder and chief technology officer of Expanding Orthopedics, said in the June 16, 2014 news release, “I am very proud of this achievement as this rewards our extensive research and development efforts and confirms the uniqueness of the XPED System and the innovation brought by our team to the medical community. This is the sixth granted Chinese patent for our extensive expanding devices platform, which demonstrates our focus and commitment to this market for several years now.”

Ofer Bokobza, CEO of Expanding Orthopedics said, “The Chinese market is one of the fastest growing markets in the world with large concentration of the ageing population (over 65) which is expected to reach 25% of population by the year 2050. EOI is setting itself for the Chinese market by designing and delivering innovative products at an affordable price, to access both the higher and lower ends Chinese healthcare markets. “We intend to execute this strategy, starting with the XPED expandable pedicle screw technology platform, which addresses the growing need of the ageing population for enhanced anchoring solutions in low bone quality. Other innovative products from our rich IP portfolio, such as the FLXfit, our unique expandable cage, will follow, fulfilling our vision of providing novel solutions to improve spinal health.”

Dr. Levy told OTW, “The patent process is always exciting, as you try to combine your innovative ideas, mechanical and physical constraints and existing intellectual property (IP). Still, during our IP process we always keep in mind the clinical benefit for the patient as well as the features required by the surgeons, which is why our fantastic scientific advisory board is already closely involved at these early stages. At EOI we already have a broad IP portfolio (12 issued patents and 8 pending patents), but it’s always a great recognition and achievement to obtain a new grant.”

“The XPED is already used by numerous leading centers in Europe and so far close to 2, 500 expandable screws have been successfully implanted worldwide. One year from today we hope to be in the U.S. market with the XPED, which will be a tremendous disruptive opportunity as there is no FDA approved solution today for patients with compromised bone. As for China, we are starting the China Food and Drug Administration registration process these days and believe to be able to obtain approval within 24 months.”