OPM Creating Separate Entity for Orthopedic Implant Business
Expansion into Personalized Implants Latest Growth Area for Pioneer of 3D Printed Polymeric Orthopedic Devices
Oxford Performance Materials, Inc. is establishing a focused entity for its 3D printed orthopedic business areas following the company’s further expansion into personalized implants. The decision to create a separate orthopedic company will allow greater focus, investment and resources to this high-growth sector of OPM’s business.
OPM first began 3D printing cranial and facial implants in 2014, and has delivered patient-matched devices for over 4,500 craniomaxillofacial (CMF) cases to date. The company has six FDA 510(k) clearances.
Until now, surgeons in need of personalized implants for cases in lower & upper extremity, trauma and oncology have had to rely upon 3D printed titanium devices, with recognized drawbacks of stiffness (resulting in stress-shielding and adjacent bone loss), an inability to modify the implant in the O.R., long delivery times, no anti-bacterial properties, poor imaging, and eventual implant corrosion in the body. Like titanium, 3D printed PEKK structures exhibit excellent bone ongrowth, however in contrast, OPM’s 3DP PEKK exceeds titanium in the following ways:
A material with bone-like mechanical properties that is fully modifiable in the OR
Anti-bacterial properties
Corrosion-free
Radiolucent
Shorter manufacturing times
Analysts tracking the medical device markets consistently report 3D printed implants among the highest growth sectors in orthopedics, and personalized devices are the orthopedic segment experiencing hyper-growth.
“Since our inception in 2000, OPM has been quietly building the most advanced materials and additive manufacturing technology in the orthopedic industry,” said Scott DeFelice, founder & CEO. “Our extension into personalized orthopedic implants began last year, providing devices pro-bono in response to an urgent need in Ukraine. Once specialized surgeons in the U.S. and Europe became aware of the comprehensive solution offered by 3DP PEKK, OPM’s extension from patient-matched CMF to an extended set of personalized devices was a natural step. We have a tiger by the tail here, and the broader decision to separate out our orthopedic offerings will allow greater focus and resources to better serve these customers.”