DePuy Acquires Assets of Orquest

In a move to expand its orthobiologic offerings, DePuy AcroMed, Inc. (Raynham, MA, USA) has acquired substantially all of the assets of Orquest, Inc. (Mountain View, CA, USA), a company focused on developing biologic-based implants for orthopedics and spine surgery. Terms were not disclosed.

Orquest's patented technologies and materials for regenerating cartilage, accelerating fracture repair, and augmenting bone formation are key assets that fit directly into the existing orthobiologic initiatives at DePuy, says the company. Orquest's principal product, Healos bone graft material, is designed to reduce the time and pain associated with standard bone graft harvesting. It is used in conjunction with the patient's own bone marrow. Orquest's product development efforts have focused on further enhancing bone formation by combining Healos with the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) molecule (MP52) now licensed to DePuy. These product-development efforts will be integrated into DePuy's scientific, clinical, and regulatory programs. Healos/MP52 is now in human clinical trials in Europe.

"In conjunction with our recent exclusive, worldwide license with Biopharm, GmbH, for a broad BMP technology portfolio, DePuy is positioned for solid leadership in the future of musculoskeletal tissue repair and regeneration,” said Nicholas Valeriani, a Johnson & Johnson Company group chairman with responsibility for DePuy.





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