Looking for a Job in the Twin Cities?

The Samuelson Resource Group is looking for a candidate to fill the role of a Brand Marketing Manager in the Twin Cities. For those of you whom failed geography, that would be in the Land of Lakes, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. The individual in this role would be responsible branding new products in the synthetic spinal graft arena. If you're looking for a position that incorporates upstream and downstream marketing along with customer interaction, pays a nice base salary, and just might be the opportunity that you have long been seeking, pick up the phone or fire up your lap top and contact Claudia J. Samuelson at 612.721.2020 or send your resume to claudia@srgfinds.com. And when you speak to Claudia, tell her the Spineblogger sent you. Good Luck!

Everest Here They Come!

With the recent investment by WCAS resulting in being the majority shareholder at K2M, this company has now reloaded for another offensive. Before WCAS gets itchy about potentially getting involved in the strategic development of this company, Major and his expedition team should be given the opportunity to ramp up their IP and continue to enhance their portfolio. If I may paraphrase the old expression, too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the broth. WCAS should be a reputable guide providing exceptional business acumen as active board members. With the addition of WCAS and Ferrer Freeman, K2M is an example of what happens when you're willing to deal, unlike some of the smaller struggling early-growth stage companies that either cannot get out of their own way, or are their own worst enemies.

As TSB has stated on numerous occasions, there are deals to be had and mucho dineros sitting on the sidelines, the only caveat is that you have to have something and give something to get something in return. Unfortunately, some of the CEO's that run many of these early growth stage companies have ears of stone and ego's that compensate for their lack of manhood. So in closing, K2M is a "playa" to be reckoned with now and in the near future. With all the hoopla about Globus, somewhere, somehow K2M is making an attempt to climb the summit with the help of some savvy sherpas.

PS: That has to be the best advertisement and video that this industry has ever seen. If that ain't the Schizz, TSB doesn't know what is.

K2M Acquired?

TSB has received numerous e-mails within the last 24 hours regarding the acquisition of K2M by Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe for an undisclosed sum. WCAS has been touted as the largest and most successful PE firm that focuses on information and business services and healthcare. WCAS manages an estimated $20 billion.

TSB wants to know what our eyes and ears on the Street have heard. If true, this will be the biggest news and acquisition in a market that has been downgraded in terms of growth. So will WCAS be a winner? Will they be able to sustain marketshare considering how many surgeons that use K2M had some vested interest in this venture. Is the industry seeing a shift in the type of companies that are buying into spine? TSB wants to know what our readers think?

Facet Fusion Wars: Fact or Fiction

Lately, TSB has received numerous e-mails from our readers claiming that something is brewing in the facet fusion technology arena. Followers have stated that there is a facet fusion company that has retained a litigation law firm that is sending warning letters to distributors claiming that the products they are selling violate their client's patents. If so, do these patents relate to the shape of the allograft? If word on the street is true, TSB finds it rather peculiar that someone would employ a litigation law firm to send out patent infringemnet letters at roughly a $150 cost per letter in order to disrupt the competitions sales.

But that brings up bigger questions, has anyone seen any retrospective data on the efficacy of these products? Is there a selection criteria? Does anyone have a minimally invasive technique utilizing dilators? Is this product Neuro or Orthocentric? It seems that something is brewing within this product segment based on the multitude of e-mails that we are receiving. So TSB wants to know, what have our readers heard on the street, and who is the company that is attempting to make all this noise?

Amedica and SUNY Upstate Medical Center: A Marriage Made in Heaven?

On July 1st, 2010 Amedica announced that it had entered into a partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical Center to conduct a research study that will evaluate the company's silicon nitride in comparison to PEEK (Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone). This two year study will evaluate the fusion rates between these two materials.

SiN is one of the first materials to challenge the monopoly that PEEK has not only in the market but within the industry. Holding companies hostage to a three year $225,000 to $250,000 licensing agreement, the time has come for someone to challenge Invibio's stranglehold on the market. In addition to challenging PEEK, Amedica will be provided with an opportunity to substantiate their claims and validate that their unique BioActive surface promotes bony ingrowth in and through the implant. The last company to have any material similar to this was Zimmer with its acquisition of trabecular metal in terms of their argument.

Kudos must go out to Amedica. Regardless, whether you like their portfolio or not, they are one of the few companies within our industry willing to put their money where their mouth is. TSB has heard many varying opinions to SiN, TSB wants to know what our readers think. Will this be a worthwhile investment, or could this come back and bite them in the derriere? TSB wants to know what are readers think?

Today, Declare Your Independence!

To the tens of thousands of readers and followers that provide this blog site with the visibility and critical mass to make it one of the most successful sites in the industry, have a great 4th of July. We know who you are. Regardless of some of our differences, your opinions count.

Put some shrimp on the barbe, grill some burgers and dogs and don't forget to eat your veggies, but most of all break open and have a few cold ones, because we still live in the greatest country in the world, if we didn't, we wouldn't have so many immigrants coming here thinking that the streets are lined with gold.

To a great second half of the year!

Cheers

TSB

Lanx: The Saga Continues

Good morning bloggers! TSB apologizes for not getting more posts out this week. Fortunately, we had to follow up a multitude of e-mail leads on the status of Michael DeMane and the potential of he leading Lanx as its CEO. Before TSB comments on the situation, we would like to personally thank those bloggers that provided us with this story prior to its public release.



On Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 Lanx announced via its publicist that Michael DeMane has declined to assume the role of Chaiman and CEO of Lanx, but no Thanx. He will assist the company as a consultant. Michael, TSB hopes you take them for everything that you can get, considering that companies that hire consultants to lead them as an interim leader are poorly led and managed witnessed by the US Spine debacle.



In seven years since its inception, Lanx has had more turnover than any other company in the industry. Companies like Lanx lack true leadership being run by surgeons and individuals with no people skills. So what does this say about Lanx and some of our bloggers that reacted to our original post regarding DeMane? Maybe Lanx should become a case study at the Harvard Business School?



Lanx possesses a strong and comprehensive portfolio? Well, if you are Goldman Sachs you believe that because you wouldn't understand product you only understand numbers. A company built on one product, the Aspen, playing in a zero sum market equals eventual inertia. A deep management team? If you call constant turnover deep, then Lanx is deep in turnover. Anyone can hire a publicist to paint rosey pictures of an organization that is in such a state of disarray regardless of its success that its truly at a crossroad, meaning that it will take a complete restructuring of the leadership team which includes getting rid of the original founders. Either buy them out, or die a slow death.



As for our fellow bloggers reaction to our original post, remember one of our favorite expressions, "what you see if not necessarily what you get." TSB wants to know what our readers thing?