Exactech Acquires XpandOrtho to Enhance Its Knee Replacement Navigation System

VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) has learned that on March 12, 2019, orthopedic device manufacturer Exactech announced the acquisition of XpandOrtho, a company specializing in the design of soft tissue balancing devices for knee replacement surgery. Exactech is a company that develops and manufactures bone and joint repair products and biological solutions for the extremities, knees, and hips. Exactech plans to integrate XpandOrtho’s technology to enhance its ExactechGPS computer-assisted surgery system, which is the only navigation system supporting both shoulder and knee replacement procedures.

Managing soft tissue in patients is a critical aspect of knee replacement surgery. In 2017, XpandOrtho received FDA approval to manufacture an electronic soft-tissue balancer for total knee arthroplasty. Its internal device system uses multiple sensors within the knee joint to guide soft-tissue balancing. The device employs a novel pneumatic bellows system that communicates wirelessly with a display, providing surgeons with real-time gap-balancing feedback throughout the range of motion during the procedure.

According to David Petty, CEO of Exactech: “The acquisition of XpandOrtho supports Exactech’s strategy for continued growth and underscores its commitment to enhancing the surgeon experience and improving patient outcomes. XpandOrtho’s innovative ligament balancing technology provides a strong foundation for integrating with the ExactechGPS system, further refining our award-winning Truliant total knee system. We look forward to collaborating with XpandOrtho founders Cliff W. Colwell and Darryl D’Lima to jointly develop advanced knee arthroplasty technologies.”

Exactech was listed on the NASDAQ in the United States in 1996. To date, Exactech acquired five medical device manufacturing companies between 2007 and 2019, and was acquired by the global private investment firm TPG in October 2017. In March 2018, Exactech’s Equinoxe stemless shoulder prosthesis received FDA approval, completing the Equinoxe Shoulder System.

In a report by Darryl D’Lima, M.D., and Clifford W. Colwell, M.D., they stated that XpandOrtho is honored to be acquired by Exactech, a distinguished manufacturer of orthopedic devices. Dr. Colwell added, “With the support of Exactech, our advanced and mature technology, which has been in development for over seven years, can finally reach the market and deliver benefits to surgeons and their patients.”

XpandOrtho is a privately held medical device and technology company dedicated to raising the standard of care in total knee arthroplasty by developing and manufacturing orthopedic surgical equipment. This equipment provides surgeons with real-time visual feedback during procedures, delivering consistent, measurable outcomes for both surgeons and patients. XpandOrtho’s future development plans leverage its proprietary technology to provide solutions for a broader range of orthopedic surgeries.

Exactech is a medical device manufacturer integrating the research and development, production, and sales of orthopedic equipment, with its headquarters located in Gainesville, Florida. The company’s Gainesville facility manufactures the majority of its orthopedic devices, focusing on the development and sale of orthopedic implants, related surgical instruments, biomaterials, and computer-assisted surgical technologies for hospitals and physicians. Exactech’s orthopedic products are primarily used to repair bones and joints deteriorated due to injuries or conditions such as arthritis. In addition to domestic sales in the United States, Exactech operates in more than 30 markets across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific region.

(Compiled by Wang Shuijing)