Wright Medical (NSDQ:WMGI) said it’s launching the Infinity total ankle replacement system in the U.S., touting the device as a solution for both primary ankle arthroplasties and secondary or revision surgeries.
The device is designed to be compatible with Wright’s Inbone II talar components and the Prophecy pre-operative alignment system, the company said.
"The launch of our Infinity ankle extends our leadership position and multi-year competitive lead in total ankle technology and represents a significant near-term opportunity for Wright. This technology, combined with our new, streamlined go-to-market program should enhance our ability to lead in this under-penetrated market. With the addition of Infinity to our existing ankle portfolio, which includes the widely acclaimed Inbone total ankle system, Wright is first to offer best-in-class total ankle replacement systems that address the continuum of care for end-stage ankle arthritis patients. We believe Infinity’s lower profile design and straightforward surgical approach expands our access to less complicated primary cases and will be an important catalyst in the ongoing market conversion from fusion procedures to total ankle replacement," president & CEO Robert Palmisano said in prepared remarks.
Leerink Partners analyst Richard Newitter, citing an unnamed high-volume foot & ankle surgeon, said the Infinity device should spur wider adoption of TAR procedures, which the specialist believes will be the standard of care in 10 years.
"Importantly, the specialist sees Infinity having an edge with the surgeons just beginning to do ankle arthroplasty as it simplifies the procedure, and he said he would recommend the Infinity plus WMGI’s Prophecy system (pre-op planning capability) combination to any doc trying to learn the procedure," Newitter wrote this week in a note to investors. "We expect the Infinity will not only help spur broader adoption in TAR but also should help WMGI gain share in this expanding market."
The Infinity device could be poised to take market share from rival Tornier (NSDQ:TRNX), Newitter added.
"Currently, TRNX’s Salto Talaris ankle is the specialist’s ‘go-to’ TAR, with Inbone use limited to revisions and complex cases. Neither is a perfect solution, as Salto Talaris instrumentation can be ‘fussy’ (relies on a freehand approach) and Inbone requires drilling through the calcaneus, which carries a small risk of complications (limiting his use of the device to revision procedures). But given the release of Infinity, he is thinking of switching to WMGI as a primary option as Infinity’s bone sparing design will allow him to treat most cases – now both TRNX’s & WMGI’s platforms have manufacturer-consistent primary/revision systems."
