SIGNAFUSE Bioactive Bone Graft Strips See Early Adoption by Surgeon in Virginia

Launched just weeks ago, Bioventus Surgical is celebrating some sales and early use of the new SIGNAFUSE Bone Graft strips by surgeons in the US. First use was by Rick Placide, M.D. of VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia. Placide performed a posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) and placed the SIGNAFUSE strips in the posterolateral gutters of the patient’s spine.

100mm-SIGNAFUSE-Strips-used-on-each-side-of-a-4-level-posterolateral-lumbar-fusion by Dr. Placide

“We have used it as a bone graft extender in several cases and found it easy to use,” said Placide. “We have already been impressed by its ability to absorb bone marrow aspirate while maintaining its form, flexibility and toughness. These properties make SIGNAFUSE strips ideal for a variety of cases, including spanning large defects. We look forward to following the clinical outcomes.”

The Surgical Marketing team has an integrated plan to launch the SIGNAFUSE strips; this even included a first patient-in use press release published on September 2.

“The first press release was to acknowledge the FDA approval of the product, entice customers to learn more about it and to see if it might be right for them and their patients,” said Drew Zabor, Product Manager, Bioventus Surgical. “The second press release was to show the world why the product is unique and how it could be used in a challenging surgical setting and demonstrate what it can do from a patient perspective.”

The SIGNAFUSE launch is also supported by a comprehensive media plan that includes targeted advertisements to spine surgeons across multiple platforms and channels. This is being led by Ross Menia, Marketing Coordinator, Bioventus Surgical. Additionally, Theo McCormick, Senior Manager of Market Insights, has helped the Surgical marketing team procure and analyze market data so the commercial team has a better idea of use patterns and locations of competing products. Theo also identified spine surgeons that are performing the procedures that best line up with SIGNAFUSE.

The belief is that with the SIGNAFUSE Strip, Bioventus will gain market share and replace older, antiquated technologies with a solution that is better for bone healing.

“It’s also important for us to highlight that it was developed in-house, so it shows our product development chops,” said Drew. “The portfolio is now broadened and we have a multi-generational product plan which gives us more opportunity to get into new hospital systems. SIGNFUSE gets the attention of surgeons by delivering an unmet need and it shows Bioventus will continue to provide solutions for complex procedures.”