Arthrex to distribute cartilage product

NAPLES — Arthroscopic surgery toolmaker Arthrex has signed a deal with Maryland-based Osiris Therapeutics to be the exclusive distributor of a cartilage-repair product. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Naples-based Arthrex will distribute Cartiform, a product that helps repair and restore damaged cartilage in the knee, foot, ankle, and other major joints. “Arthrex has the product development and distribution capabilities to train and educate surgeons about the unique characteristics of Cartiform and to help them better treat their patients,” says David Shepard, orthobiologics director of Arthrex, in a statement.

Up to 500,000 patients need cartilage-repair treatment in the U.S. every year, Osiris says. Cartilage has limited ability to repair itself and the current standard of care, microfracture or bone marrow stimulation, remains unsatisfactory, the company says.