NEW INDEPENDENT SURVEY OF U.S. FOOT AND ANKLE SURGEONS AFFIRMS MARKET LEADERSHIP OF STAR™ TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENT
NEW YORK, NY: April 11, 2012, –In a new survey of U.S. foot and ankle surgeons, 56.1% of the surgeons surveyed identified the STAR™ Total Ankle Replacement system marketed by Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), as the "overwhelming market leader" in the total ankle replacement market. The next closest total ankle supplier was identified as a market leader by only 24.4% of the surgeons surveyed.
SBi was also cited as the only company other than the perennial industry leaders to break into the 'Top 4' in any of the categories in the survey. This is a result of STAR's impact among surgeons who treat advanced forms of ankle arthritis. The survey was conducted earlier this year by PearlDiver Technologies Inc., an orthopedics industry market research and publishing company.
When asked about which ankle replacement systems the surgeons were trained on, the STAR was identified by the surgeons as a close second with 55.4%, while the leader was at 56.6%.
Michael P. Simpson, President & CEO of SBi, said: "Naturally, we are pleased to have our leadership in total ankle replacement confirmed independently by the surgeons. What is most remarkable, however, is the fact that the STAR ankle has only been widely available in the U.S. since January 2010—nearly two years ago.
"Further, this rapid success is especially compelling given that other ankles currently available to patients have been in U.S. commercial distribution since as early as 2006. With our market leadership position, we still have a significant growth opportunity given that 70% of surveyed surgeons have yet to perform total ankle replacement surgery in their practices," he added.
The STAR ankle is the only total ankle replacement system approved through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rigorous Premarket Approval (PMA) process. STAR is the only ankle replacement system approved in the U.S. for use without bone cement.
The results also indicated that of those surgeons surveyed only 30% perform total ankle replacement surgery in their practice. By comparison, according to SBi, of the surgeons trained to date by the company on STAR, 42% are users.
Dr.h.c. Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Sbi's Executive Chairman, Founder and Executive Chairman, added: "This independent confirmation of SBi's market leadership is a testament to the success of the published long-term clinical benefits of the STAR total ankle replacement system and the high-road we have taken by investing heavily in high quality surgeon education, training, and data collection. The survey results not only confirm STAR's market leadership, but also suggest that the rate of conversion from trained surgeons to actual users is superior to the competition and defying market dynamics."
About Small Bone Innovations, Inc.
Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi) was founded in 2004 by Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC (VB), the New York-based merchant banking firm that specializes in the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector. SBi was the first company to focus purely on small bones & joints by integrating established companies and professionals in the field. It offers a broad, clinically proven portfolio of products and technologies to treat trauma and diseases in the small bones & joints. SBi has facilities in New York, NY, Morrisville, PA, Péronnas, France, Donaueschingen, Germany, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has sold its products in 41 countries.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting SBi’s business including increased competition; the ability of SBi to expand its operations and to attract and retain qualified professionals; technological obsolescence; general economic conditions; and other risks.