Spine surgery has gone from the pariah of the orthopedic industry to that sector's fastest growing segment. Large companies have looked to capitalize on spine's rapid growth by acquiring their way into this space, a pattern of consolidation that has left the industry without a major pure play spinal company. SpineVision is looking to fill that void by developing a complete line of spinal products, starting with innovations on core technology, rather than relying on a typical start-up strategy of focusing on a particular device or clinical niche. The company's strategy will bring it immediately into competition with the market leaders' well-established product lines. But SpineVision is counting on experienced management and the current frustration among spine surgeons resulting from recent industry consolidation to attract physicians' attention.

As industry bellwether J&J kicked-off 2019 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings season for life sciences companies, its financial results left investors feeling the cold. But with coronavirus envy sweeping a raft of smaller biotech companies, J&J may have the last laugh.

 

 

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.