ODT’s Most-Read Stories This Week—Feb. 19

Litigation, labor, and finances attracted viewers to the ODT website this past week.

Visitors accessed the site to gain knowledge of Autocam Medical’s executive-level personnel changes, Companion Spine’s latest investment round, Marle Group’s majority stake in Tangible Solutions, and the legal issues surrounding Exactech’s hip implant.

Autocam Medical named Sara McMurray as vice president of sales and marketing and announced Executive Vice President Tom O’Mara’s impending retirement. O’Mara has been with the company for 32 years and is officially retiring as of Dec. 31, but will remain in an advisory role beyond that date. McMurray has 23 years of sales and management experience in manufacturing; she is a current board member of the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan, and an active member of Women in Manufacturing.

Not surprisingly, a lawsuit accusing Exactech of selling a defective hip implant helped drive ODT website traffic. Filed in Arkansas, the suit claims the artificial hip was defective because it contained a polyethylene line that is prone to a high early failure rate from wear. This can cause severe bone degeneration (secondary osteolysis). Exactech’s Connexion GXL liner is made from irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Exactech claims the liners have less wear and are more durable than competitors’ polyethylene liners. However, the company recalled the Connexion GXL acetabular liner last July after concerns were raised about the high early failure rate and severe bone degeneration. 

Finance-related news usually generates significant interest, and this past week’s stories did not disappoint. Companion Spine raised $55 million to develop and commercialize its minimally invasive and therapeutic solutions for degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine stenosis, while contract manufacturer Marle Group bought a majority stake in Tangible Solutions. The acquisition gives Marle Group an additional U.S. manufacturing facility.

1. Autocam Medical Announces Leadership Changes
 

2. Exactech Sued for Defective Hip Implant
 

3. Companion Spine Raises $55M in Series A
 

4. Using AI to Improve Patient-Specific Orthopedic Workflows
 

5. Marle Group Acquires Majority Stake in Tangible Solutions