A Medical Device Daily
Wright Medical Group (Arlington, Tennessee), an orthopedic medical device company, said that it has signed an agreement with Regeneration Technologies (RTI; Alachua, Florida), a processor of orthopedic and other biologic implants, to develop xenograft implants for use in foot and ankle surgeries.
Wright will design and distribute the implants, while RTI will develop, manufacture and supply Wright's designs. The contract is effective immediately.
The implants will be marketed by Wright under the Cancello-Pure brand. A multi-purpose wedge version of the product will be made available in the second quarter of 2007, with indication-specific product configurations scheduled for the second half of 2007, the company said.
In other agreements news:
• Fujirebio Diagnostics (FDI; Malvern, Pennsylvania) and ARUP Laboratories (ARUP; Salt Lake City, Utah) said they signed an agreement to offer the Mesomark Assay, the companies calling it the world's first in vitro test for monitoring mesothelioma, a form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Beginning Feb. 26, all Mesomark patient samples will be tested by ARUP, using the company's medical testing capabilities.
ARUP says it processes more than 25,000 specimens of blood, body fluid and tissue biopsies daily for clients throughout the U.S.
Monte Wiltse, VP of sales and marketing for Fujirebio, said, "By partnering with ARUP, we're ensuring that this test is available to the largest and broadest audience, providing the best possible services for all physicians and their patients and the means to improve cancer outcomes."
The Mesomark test kit was developed by Fujirebio to monitor patients confirmed as having mesothelioma, for recurrence in patients following surgery, or for measuring response to therapies.
Mesothelioma affects the sac lining the chest, the abdominal cavity or the area around the heart. Many people with this cancer have been employed in environments where they inhaled asbestos. Most insulation and construction materials manufactured before the mid-1970s contained asbestos, and more than 100 million people have been exposed to asbestos — often unknowingly — including shipyard workers, insulators, boilermakers, plumbers and maintenance workers.
Between 1979 and 2001, an estimated 43,000 people died from mesothelioma, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Mesomark received approval from the FDA under its Humanitarian Device Exemption protocol last month (MDD, Jan. 8, 2007).
Ronald Weiss, MD, president/COO of ARUP, said, "The ability to track this aggressive form of cancer with a blood test is a welcome addition to ARUP Laboratories' comprehensive menu of services and to the armamentarium of physicians treating this serious disease."