NuVasive Buys Assets From Pearsalls

In a move that enhances the company's spinal product line, NuVasive, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) has acquired technology and assets from Pearsalls Limited (Somerset, UK) for U.S.$12 million in cash and stock. Terms of the agreement call for NuVasive to make additional payments upon the achievement of certain milestones that could total up to an additional $31.5 million in cash and stock.

The acquired assets include Neodisc, a cervical nucleus-like replacement device designed to preserve motion in the cervical region of the spine and fill the gap between pre-surgical treatment and total disc replacement (TDR). NuVasive believes the potential of the Neodisc to treat patients earlier in the degenerative cascade will make the Neodisc an attractive surgical option. In addition, the technology is an excellent fit with NuVasive's focus on novel surgical access platforms designed for minimal tissue disruption upon implantation. NuVasive will pay a royalty of 5% on sales of the Neodisc.

Neodisc has undergone preclinical and limited clinical studies and has been implanted in a total of nine patients. The results of the studies have shown positive biointegration as well as full imaging compatibility. The Neodisc is an embroidered jacket with fixation fingers encapsulating a silicone elastomer nucleus-like core that serves to safely replace a degenerative diseased cervical disc while maintaining full range of motion.

"I am very impressed with the product design and initial clinical results of the Neodisc,” stated Dr. Scott Kitchel, assistant clinical professor, department of orthopedic surgery, Oregon Health and Sciences University (Portland, USA). "Neodisc's viscoelastic materials provide shock absorption and qualify the Neodisc as a unique second-generation disc replacement over the first-generation cervical TDRs under study. I believe it may very well serve as a bridge to TDR by being applied earlier in the degenerative cascade treatment process.”





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