OrthoPediatrics Acquires Vilex, Gains Novel External Fixation Tech

OrthoPediatrics Corp., a company focused exclusively on advancing the field of pediatric orthopedics, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Vilex in Tennessee Inc. and Orthex, LLC (collectively, “Vilex”), including its Orthex Hexapod circular fixation technology and proprietary CORA-based x-ray planning software, for a total of $60 million, consisting of $50 million in cash and $10 million in stock. The transaction will be financed, in part, with $30 million of new debt provided by Squadron Capital LLC on similar terms to the other debt it has provided OrthoPediatrics. 
 
Vilex is primarily a foot and ankle surgery company with a product portfolio targeting pediatric patients and adults that generated $11.8 million in total sales, which are derived primarily from the U.S., and approximately $2.9 million of net income in full year 2018. Its Orthex Hexapod technology is its most rapidly growing system, reaching sales of $3.1 million in 2018, increasing more than 50% year-over-year since receiving FDA clearance in March 2016. Orthex is used to treat pediatric congenital deformities and limb length discrepancies such as fibula and tibia hemimelia, radial clubhand, ankle equinus, Blount’s disease, genu recurvatum, and multiapical deformities. Vilex also sells a range of 13 families of surgical products, some of which are used to treat pediatric conditions of the extremities such a flatfoot reconstruction, subtalar arthroereisis, and arthrodesis procedures of small bones. 
 
The Orthex Hexapod system offers unique hardware, including its easily calibrated struts and infection-reducing Hydroxy-apatite coated pins. However, its key advantage is the patented point and click software, which dramatically simplifies deformity correction planning. This software was developed by Abraham Lavi, PhD, founder of Vilex, in conjunction with Dr. Dror Paley, founder of the Paley Institute of West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Paley is a pioneer of the Ilizarov method in the United States and has conducted more than 17,000 limb lengthening and reconstruction procedures, while also developing more than 100 new surgical procedures. He is also the author of Principles of Deformity Correction.
 
Mark Throdahl, President and CEO of OrthoPediatrics, commented, “This transaction closes the biggest gap in our Trauma & Deformity product offering. It increases our coverage of the Trauma & Deformity market from 60% to 80%, while also adding a number of foundational products in pediatric foot and ankle surgery in anticipation of the imminent launch of our PediFoot system. It also expands OP’s surgeon base to those deformity correction surgeons who treat children but may not practice in pediatric hospitals.”
 
Mr. Throdahl added, “We continue to believe in the power of focus and intend to remain exclusively focused on pediatric applications going forward. As such, we plan to identify a potential buyer for Vilex’s adult product line who is focused on the adult orthopedic space and is a synergistic fit for Vilex’s personnel, sales force and assets. The transaction could include an exclusive license of the Orthex technology for adult Foot & Ankle applications. We are confident there will be industry interest in this transaction, but we can make no assurances that such a sale will occur or its potential timing.”
 
Abe Lavi, Chairman of Vilex, commented, “Vilex is pleased to complete this transaction with an established company like OrthoPediatrics, which has worldwide distribution reach and extraordinary brand equity with pediatric orthopedic surgeons. The potential impact of the Orthex technology, combined with OrthoPediatrics’ product offering and developing pipeline, is enormous, and we look forward to OrthoPediatrics’ ability to capitalize specifically on the pediatric applications of our products. Going forward, I am confident that Vilex will receive the support of a company with the ability to maintain and grow Vilex’s leadership in the extremities market.”
 
Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated acted as financial advisor to OrthoPediatrics’ Board of Directors. Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP served as legal counsel to OrthoPediatrics on the transaction. Warner Norcross & Judd LLP served as legal counsel to Vilex.