First Laminoplasty Implant at Integra - Analyst Blog

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation IART announced the first human implantation of its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Integra Laminoplasty System in the U.S. The system is designed for treating patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, cervical myelopathy and degenerative spinal canal stenos.

The Laminoplasty System is composed of a wide range of robust, arched plate designs, self-drilling bone screws and multiple insertion options. The system proved itself to be user friendly during the implantation procedure. The arched radius of the plate allows for spinal canal expansion. Moreover, the foot on the plate provides efficient initial stability.

The Laminoplasty System is a part of Integra's Spine segment which accounted for 21.5% of the company's total revenue in 2013. In a bid to strengthen this segments offering, Integra introduced the FDA approved Integra Hollywood NanoMetalene Interbody Device (IBD). The IBD is used primarily in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Integra has strengthened its claim for the leadership position in the global laminoplasty market which is estimated to reach approximately $70 million by 2015. However, we would like to remain on the sidelines at present unless some visibility is gained regarding the acceptability and performance of Integra's Laminoplasty system in the market.

Integra currently bears a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks worth considering in the overall medical sector are Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ALXN, Alkermes plc ALKS and ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ANIP. All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).