Biocomposites Signs Major Agreement With Zimmer Biomet

Keele, United Kingdom-based medical device company Biocomposites Ltd has signed an exclusive, multi-year agreement with Zimmer Biomet to supply genex Bone Graft Substitute to the musculoskeletal care community in the United States.

As part of the new agreement, Biocomposites upgraded genex for the U.S market by including a closed-mixing system to shorten preparation time and extend working time. In addition, the company included a more comprehensive set of delivery options which allows surgeons to inject, mold or prepare beads of genex—whichever they prefer.

genex Bone Graft is a 50:50 biphasic composition of calcium sulfate and β-tricalcium phosphate. It also brings a negatively charged surface chemistry to the graft which has demonstrated in clinical studies a favorable osteogenic bone growth—specifically five times normal (positively charged) levels, InVitr¹.

Finally, Biocomposite’s proprietary recrystallization and purification production methods give genex its distinct properties and removes slow and non-absorbing compounds, such as hydroxyapatite, to ensure that it is completely absorbed and remodeled within 12 months².

Biocomposites is a UK-based leader in the engineering, marketing, and manufacturing of both infection management materials and bone and soft tissue augmentation products. Biocomposites’ products are distributed in over 40 countries across a spectrum of orthopedic subspecialties, including musculoskeletal infection, spine, trauma, foot and ankle, and sports injuries.

Biocomposites Chief Executive Officer Michael Harris said of the partnership, “I am delighted we are partnering with Zimmer Biomet to deliver our new genex Bone Graft Substitute product to the U.S. market. genex is already used and valued by surgeons in over 30 countries, including the U.S., undertaking 15,000 cases each year. The upgraded offering which we are providing to Zimmer Biomet will further benefit many more physicians and patients across the U.S.”

President of Zimmer Biomet CMFT, Foot & Ankle and Trauma, Brian Hatcher, also expressed satisfaction with the agreement. “We are excited to partner with Biocomposites to bring the new genex Bone Graft Substitute kits to surgeons as we continue to advance our mission to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for people around the world.”

1. Cooper JJ et al. Enhancing the osteogenic potential of bioabsorbable implants through control of surface charge. Presented at the Society for Biomaterials 2007 Annual Meeting, April 2007: Chicago, Illinois, USA. Laboratory studies are not necessarily indicative of clinical results
2. Clinical case study: Mr. A Nisar and Mr. S Gopal; Proximal femur fracture, Data on file.

Source: Biocomposites Ltd