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As a part of Johnson & Johnson’s Virtual Medical Device Update, DePuy Synthes laid out its vision for the future of orthopedics. The company is focused on creating a digital ecosystem of end-to-end solutions that span the specialties of its orthopedic business. This platform, named VELYS, aims to bridge the entire continuum of care from pre-op to post-op while leveraging connected technologies powered by data collected throughout the process.
DePuy Synthes submitted the robotic-assisted component of VELYS to FDA for approval in September, with an anticipated U.S. commercial launch in 1Q21. The robot will enter the market with a significant placement disadvantage. Stryker’s Mako platform surpassed 1,000 installs in 3Q20, while Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee placements are now over 200. VELYS also faces competition with Smith+Nephew’s new CORI robot and, eventually, Globus Medical.
In addition to the recently-launched Attune Cementless implant, the VELYS robotic system will play a crucial role in returning DePuy Synthes’ knee franchise to growth. We project DePuy Synthes’ knee business will suffer its fourth consecutive year of decline in 2020. By contrast, Stryker averaged mid-single-digit knee growth in that same timespan.
Fortunately for DePuy Synthes, robotics penetration in the global orthopedic market remains low. The company estimates that the U.S. market is about 10% penetrated and only about 1% globally. According to the company, up to 30% of all joint replacement surgeries will use robotics within the next 10 years. Notably, the units that comprise the current orthopedic robotic market are first-generation systems that one surgeon described as an Atari, in terms of sophistication.
DePuy Synthes positioned VELYS as an efficient, low-cost system that is ideally suited to ASCs. The robot is a “zero-footprint” design that attaches to the bed. Like Smith+Nephew’s CORI system, it is CT-free and instead creates 3D models from x-rays.
DePuy Synthes’ most significant potential competitive advantage is leveraging the robust infrastructure and scale of Johnson & Johnson. The VELYS ecosystem envisions a seamlessly connected network of technologies that gathers data insights throughout the chain to make surgery safer and more predictable. Ultimately, the company sees all of its orthopedic business lines benefitting from its digital surgery ecosystem as its benefit expands beyond the operating room.
Currently, most of the VELYS technologies remain in development. However, DePuy Synthes has a prime opportunity to disrupt the first-generation enabling technology market and return its knee franchise to healthy growth.
Mike Evers is ORTHOWORLD’s Digital Content Strategist.
As a part of Johnson & Johnson’s Virtual Medical Device Update, DePuy Synthes laid out its vision for the future of orthopedics. The company is focused on creating a digital ecosystem of end-to-end solutions that span the specialties of its orthopedic business. This platform, named VELYS, aims to bridge the entire continuum of care from...
As a part of Johnson & Johnson’s Virtual Medical Device Update, DePuy Synthes laid out its vision for the future of orthopedics. The company is focused on creating a digital ecosystem of end-to-end solutions that span the specialties of its orthopedic business. This platform, named VELYS, aims to bridge the entire continuum of care from pre-op to post-op while leveraging connected technologies powered by data collected throughout the process.
DePuy Synthes submitted the robotic-assisted component of VELYS to FDA for approval in September, with an anticipated U.S. commercial launch in 1Q21. The robot will enter the market with a significant placement disadvantage. Stryker’s Mako platform surpassed 1,000 installs in 3Q20, while Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee placements are now over 200. VELYS also faces competition with Smith+Nephew’s new CORI robot and, eventually, Globus Medical.
In addition to the recently-launched Attune Cementless implant, the VELYS robotic system will play a crucial role in returning DePuy Synthes’ knee franchise to growth. We project DePuy Synthes’ knee business will suffer its fourth consecutive year of decline in 2020. By contrast, Stryker averaged mid-single-digit knee growth in that same timespan.
Fortunately for DePuy Synthes, robotics penetration in the global orthopedic market remains low. The company estimates that the U.S. market is about 10% penetrated and only about 1% globally. According to the company, up to 30% of all joint replacement surgeries will use robotics within the next 10 years. Notably, the units that comprise the current orthopedic robotic market are first-generation systems that one surgeon described as an Atari, in terms of sophistication.
DePuy Synthes positioned VELYS as an efficient, low-cost system that is ideally suited to ASCs. The robot is a “zero-footprint” design that attaches to the bed. Like Smith+Nephew’s CORI system, it is CT-free and instead creates 3D models from x-rays.
DePuy Synthes’ most significant potential competitive advantage is leveraging the robust infrastructure and scale of Johnson & Johnson. The VELYS ecosystem envisions a seamlessly connected network of technologies that gathers data insights throughout the chain to make surgery safer and more predictable. Ultimately, the company sees all of its orthopedic business lines benefitting from its digital surgery ecosystem as its benefit expands beyond the operating room.
Currently, most of the VELYS technologies remain in development. However, DePuy Synthes has a prime opportunity to disrupt the first-generation enabling technology market and return its knee franchise to healthy growth.
Mike Evers is ORTHOWORLD’s Digital Content Strategist.
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Mike Evers is a Senior Market Analyst and writer with over 15 years of experience in the medical industry, spanning cardiac rhythm management, ER coding and billing, and orthopedics. He joined ORTHOWORLD in 2018, where he provides market analysis and editorial coverage.
