Public Funding for Concept Spine Limited

Scoliosis is a distortion of the shape of the human body that occurs during growth and affects at least 2-3% of the population worldwide. At present, any significant degree or progressive scoliosis can only be corrected surgically by a procedure called spinal fusion. This is major surgical intervention which involves permanent fixation of the spine using metal implants and bone graft material. The current global market for surgical implants for treatment of scoliosis by spinal fusion is very significant. Available data from the US estimate it to $957 million. However, spinal fusion results in many serious problems including permanent loss of spinal motion, trunk stiffness, restrictions in physical activities, permanent arrest of spinal growth in children and increased surgical invasiveness leading to less than optimal outcomes. An innovative surgical spinal implant system based on proprietary technology which allows correction of scoliosis with preservation of the spine’s natural mobility and growth potential is currently under development by our company to address all the above shortcomings currently experienced with spinal fusion. It is also expected that following application of the spinal implant system under development the total costs of scoliosis surgery can be reduced to less than 60% of current costs and that, given that the system under development involves a significantly less ‘invasive’ surgical procedure, access to surgical treatment of scoliosis will increase for patients in less developed health environments worldwide. The surgical spinal implant system is currently in the basic (‘bench type’) prototype stage. The proposed Proof of Concept project will investigate the feasibility of the concept focusing on the basic efficacy and safety features of the new technology including investigation of the bio-mechanical performance of the implant and testing of its fatigue (repetitive loading) resistance.