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Final Patient Treated in Clinical Trials for Active Implants’ NUsurface® Meniscus Implant

July 10, 2018

MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Active Implants LLC, a company that develops orthopedic implant solutions, today announced that the final patient was treated in the two clinical trials evaluating the NUsurface® Meniscus Implant for the treatment of persistent knee pain caused by injured or deteriorated meniscus tissue. The trials are being conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the NUsurface Meniscus Implant in support of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) De Novo 510(k) clearance.

“We are now one step closer to filling the gap in treatment options between minimally invasive meniscus repair and total knee replacement, which is a large unmet need in the orthopedic market,” said Ted Davis, president and CEO of Active Implants. “With enrollment complete, we will continue to work closely with the FDA and now focus our efforts on collecting the data required for the U.S. regulatory submission. We thank our investigator surgeons and patients for making this day possible.”

The two clinical trials enrolled a combined 243 patients, 176 of which received the NUsurface Meniscus Implant. The VENUS (Verification of the Effectiveness of the NUsurface System) trial is a randomized, multi-centered, prospective, controlled study comparing the NUsurface Meniscus Implant to the non-surgical standard of care and enrolled 128 patients at 10 U.S. study sites. The SUN (Safety Using NUsurface) trial is a single-arm study assessing the safety and probable benefit of the NUsurface Meniscus Implant in restoring function similar to that of a natural, healthy meniscus and enrolled 115 patients at 13 U.S. study sites. Active Implants conducted the two different types of studies concurrently in order to bring the NUsurface Meniscus Implant to market as quickly as possible while the company worked with the FDA to finalize the regulatory clearance for marketing in the U.S.

“The NUsurface Implant is being studied in patients who still have persistent knee pain following a meniscus surgery, have exhausted other treatment options, and are too old for repair and too young for total knee replacement,” said Elliott Hershman, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and medical director for the studies.

If approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the NUsurface Implant would be the first “artificial meniscus.” The meniscus is a tissue pad between the thigh and shin bones, and once damaged, the meniscus in middle aged patients has a very limited ability to heal itself. Current treatment for a damaged or torn meniscus includes pain management, physical therapy, injections, repair techniques or meniscectomy. It has been estimated that from 700,000 to over 1 million partial meniscectomies are performed annually in the U.S. in an attempt to alleviate pain; however, recent studies have shown that many people who get a meniscectomy continue to experience pain that impacts their quality of life and can eventually lead to knee replacement surgery.

About the NUsurface® Meniscus Implant

The NUsurface® Meniscus Implant is an investigational treatment for patients with persistent knee pain following medial meniscus surgery. It is made from medical grade polymer and, as a result of its unique materials, composite structure and design, does not require fixation to bone or soft tissues. The NUsurface Meniscus Implant mimics the function of the natural meniscus and redistributes loads transmitted across the knee joint. The NUsurface Meniscus Implant has been used in Europe under CE Mark since 2008 and in Israel since 2011.

About Active Implants LLC

Active Implants LLC develops orthopedic implant solutions that complement the natural biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system, allowing patients to maintain or return to an active lifestyle. Active Implants is privately held with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. European offices are in Haarlem, The Netherlands, with R&D facilities in Netanya, Israel. For more information, visit www.activeimplants.com.

CAUTION Investigational device. Limited by United States law to investigational use.

Contacts

Merryman Communications
Joni Ramirez, 323-532-0746
joni@merrymancommunications.com

Josh Sandberg

Josh Sandberg is the President and CEO of Ortho Spine Partners and sits on several company and industry related Boards. He also is the Creator and Editor of OrthoSpineNews.

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5 Comments

  1. Thank God! I am so glad that it will soon be used, I am so tired of taking pain pills and having to sit in the pain specialist office every month.

  2. Sounds promising, and I would be interested in the procedure myself, as it describes my condition.

  3. Hello,
    I’m so interested in this meniscus implant. I want to still stay active at my old age. What are the remaining steps and timeline to getting this option available to the public? When FDA approves the procedure what is next? Will the insurance company cover this treatment? Is there training for all orthopedics to learn the procedure and recovery process? I’m so eager. Thanks .

    Ray.

  4. the fact that I have to wait two more years for this study to be completed is bullshit. two more years will be two years to late for me and I will end up with a knee replacement. there is enough clinical data available from its use in Europe and Israel to prove it effective. why doesn’t the FDA use that data and approve it now!!

  5. I am active at 77 but right knee is in need of replacement. I have not had any clean up surgery of knee because ortho said it would not help. I am virtually interested in getting access to someone to evaluate to see if I am a good candidate for procedure.

    I find it interesting that this procedure has been available in Israel since 2011, the home office is The Netherlands. What hospital in Memphis, TN. Is involved in the study?

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