MiMedx Signs Distribution Agreement With Zimmer

MiMedx Group Inc. is experiencing a case of deja vu.

The regenerative biomaterials developer is partnering with Zimmer Holdings Inc. to sell its dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) allograft products on a private-label basis. The two were betrothed nearly a year after MiMedx reached a similar agreement with Medtronic Inc.

The latest deal is confined to products marketed in the United States. Zimmer will market and sell the private-label allografts to Zimmer customers, according to a news release from MiMedx. The agreement includes a range of musculoskeletal applications such as reconstructive, sports medicine, trauma, extremities and spine.

“We are very pleased about the opportunity to partner with Zimmer. This agreement will facilitate a sizable expansion of the physicians and patients that will now have access to our dHACM allografts,” Parker H. Petit, MiMedx chairman/CEO said. “The breadth of the applications included in the agreement and the large base of physicians, hospitals and other medical facilities served by Zimmer will enhance the presence of our allografts in the musculoskeletal sector of the market.”

MiMedx uses its Purion Process to process human amniotic membranes to create tissue implants. The company acquires human placentas through a donor program for mothers delivering in full-term cesarean births. It has sold more than 275,000 of its allografts for applications including wound care, surgical, sports medicine, ophthalmic and dental indications. Its products–AmnioFix and EpiFix–are designed as a healing-inducing layer to reduce scar tissue formation and inflammation.

“Zimmer is recognized in bringing new technologies and applications to serve the reconstructive, sports medicine, trauma, extremities and spinal markets,” said Bill Taylor, MiMedx president and chief operating officer. “Our goal is to reach as many patients as possible that will benefit from the regenerative properties of our allografts. Our relationship with Zimmer will allow us to further the realization of that goal.”

The Medtronic deal dates from October 2013; it is a distribution agreement through the company’s SpinalGraft Technologies subsidiary to provide Purion processed allograft private-label products for SpinaGraft to market in spinal applications.