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Strategic partnerships are increasingly important for expanding orthopedic product portfolios and market access. More than a dozen co-development initiatives and technology distribution agreements were announced in the first half of 2026.
These partnerships demonstrate the many ways that companies find strength in numbers throughout the subsegments, creating a stronger industry as a whole.
Joint Replacement
Intellijoint Surgical and Insurgical seek to advance a more efficient, practical, and cost-conscious approach to surgery in the United States.
Intellijoint Surgical’s U.S. sales team will offer Insurgical’s single-use power tools alongside the Intellijoint Navigation System. Intellijoint provides an open platform, surgeon-controlled navigation system for total hip and knee replacement, while Insurgical brings power tools that are factory tested, terminally sterilized, and ready to use.
The partnership also includes a co-development initiative to explore the integration of Intellijoint Surgical’s tracking and navigation technology with Insurgical’s next-generation power tool platform. The co-development effort is currently in the planning phase, with additional details regarding design and commercialization to be announced at a later date.
Spine
Canary Medical and NanoHive Medical intend to jointly develop next-generation smart spinal cages that integrate Canary Medical’s implantable sensing technology with NanoHive’s Hive Soft Titanium spinal implants.
By integrating smart sensing into spinal interbody fusion cages, the companies aim to deliver objective, actionable data on fusion progression, segment mobility, and patient activity, thus enabling earlier identification of recovery deviations, more personalized rehabilitation, and data-informed intervention. Building on Canary Medical’s FDA-cleared smart knee platform, the partnership with NanoHive extends validated active implant architecture into spine to address a large market with significant unmet need.
Joint development efforts will focus on design integration, engineering validation, and defining key clinical applications. Development milestones and future clinical plans will be announced as progress continues.
Spartan Medical and SI-BONE will expand access to ultra–minimally invasive treatment options for Veterans and wounded warriors suffering from sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction.
More than 90,000 patients were diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction at VA Medical Centers across the United States in 2024, yet fewer than 0.5% received a long-term solution. This partnership aims to close that gap by bringing SI-BONE’s technologies—most notably the iFuse INTRA X procedure—to VA and DoD facilities nationwide.
The iFuse INTRA X procedure is an ultra-minimally invasive approach utilizing two precision-designed allografts placed percutaneously through a single needle-like incision. These allografts are engineered for intra-articular placement into the SI joint to limit joint motion and support long-term stability.
VB Spine signed a Master Service Agreement with Apolo Medica to commence distribution of VB Spine products in Mexico. The announcement follows VB Spine’s recent expansion into the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand. More recently, VB Spine announced that its European distribution center is up and running, as well.
Trauma
OrthoPediatrics and OSSIO will provide U.S. children’s hospitals with bio-integrative, metal-free fixation technology for the treatment of fractures and deformities in pediatric patients.
OSSIOfiber implants are made from a proprietary blend of natural mineral fibers that provide initial fixation strength comparable to traditional metal implants while safely and completely integrating into the patient’s own bone tissue within 18–24 months post-implantation, leaving no hardware behind.
Smith+Nephew signed a distribution agreement with SI-BONE for their iFuse TORQ portfolio of implants, which include indications for pelvic fracture and fusion of the SI joint. This collaboration expands Smith+Nephew’s offerings for percutaneous pelvic fracture fixation and supports their position in high-frequency, high-impact trauma procedures.
Smith+Nephew will have access to the broader iFuse TORQ portfolio alongside SI-BONE’s current sales channel.
Smith+Nephew also signed an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with RMR Ortho to add the A’TOMIC Nitinol Fixation System to its trauma, foot & ankle and hand & wrist portfolio. A’TOMIC Nitinol Fixation leverages proprietary manufacturing processes to provide compressive fixation implants that feature a wide bridge with barbed, round legs that match drill holes. The system is engineered to achieve stability of fusion, fracture and osteotomy sites through high strength and active compression.
Sports Medicine
Smith+Nephew and KARL STORZ North America agreed to team up to offer complementary visualization solutions. The companies will align Smith+Nephew’s sports medicine portfolio with KARL STORZ’s visualization, video management, and operating room integration technologies in support of multi-specialty hospital ORs and ASCs.
KARL STORZ’s expertise includes 3D imaging and near-infrared fluorescence. Smith+Nephew’s foundation offers applications that span joint repair implants, biologics, cartilage repair, RF technology, mechanical resection, and fluid management.
Orthobiologics
ATEC and Theradaptive entered into a definitive strategic partnership agreement. Concurrently, Theradaptive announced the initiation of a Series B investment round designed to accelerate the expansion of its proprietary protein-engineering platform across global therapeutic applications.
Under the terms of the their agreement, ATEC gains exclusive U.S. commercial rights to market and distribute Theradaptive’s OsteoAdapt osteoinductive bone graft for spinal fusion.
Leveraging proprietary AMP2 protein technology, OsteoAdapt is currently being evaluated in clinical trials in spine and dental applications. The technology has received three FDA Breakthrough Device Designations, underscoring its potential to address unmet medical needs in bone regeneration.
DePuy Synthes entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with CGBIO for the development and commercialization of NOVOSIS across its spine, craniomaxillofacial and trauma portfolios.
NOVOSIS is a novel growth-factor bone graft substitute designed to address unmet needs associated with existing solutions and to support improved clinical outcomes. An Investigational Device Exemption study for spine procedures is actively enrolling in the U.S. to evaluate safety and effectiveness. If supported by clinical data and regulatory approval, NOVOSIS will expand treatment options within DePuy Synthes’ spine portfolio.
Under the terms of the agreement, DePuy Synthes will hold exclusive distribution rights for NOVOSIS in the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as rights of first negotiation for additional global markets. Johnson & Johnson and CGBIO previously entered into an exclusive distribution and promotional agreement for NOVOSIS in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Hong Kong and Macau in 2025.
Osteopore signed an exclusive license with Accelerate for a bioactive technology platform, Heparan Sulphate, designed to accelerate bone and tissue regeneration.
Osteopore has been working with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology to incorporate various types of Heparan Sulphate with Osteopore’s technology. This combination has the potential to improve the rate and quality of bone regeneration, leading to faster recovery times, reduced complications, and improved overall patient health.
The license covers two families of Heparan Sulphate for all life science and medical use, research and clinical use, including patents and know-how. The countries and regions covered by the exclusive license include the United States, the European Union, and China.
This license spans 15 years and provides for an upfront payment, royalties linked to sales, and additional payments upon the achievement of market approval milestones.
Enabling Technology
EDGE Surgical entered into a $225,000 agreement appointing 3Di Medical as an authorized distributor for the Ortho EDG Universal Electronic Depth Gauge in Florida.
The addition of the Ortho EDG to the 3Di Medical portfolio opens an opportunity to share technologies that streamline the surgeons’ experience, both with existing clients and new surgeons who seek improved workflow and quality of care.
With the Universal Depth Gauge, featuring dynamic calibration technology, hospitals can fully replace their existing depth gauge inventory, reducing bioburden contamination risk, simplifying instrument management, and keeping operating rooms running on time.
Highridge Medical entered into an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Waypoint Orthopedics to access the Waypoint GPS. The enabling technology platform gives surgeons real-time guidance for pedicle screw placement without the radiation or complexity of traditional navigation and robotics.
Highridge plans to launch the product later this year.
Waypoint GPS is a fully disposable, single-use pedicle probe that uses proprietary color-sensing technology to provide physicians with real-time visual feedback to determine the difference between cancellous and cortical bone, as well as confirmation of the location of the cutting edge of the probe. The device looks and feels like a standard reusable pedicle probe and requires little change in technique.
Turner Imaging Systems announces an expanded agreement with Swissray Technologies, granting the company importing and distribution rights for the entire European Union.
The agreement builds on a partnership that began in 2021, when Swissray Technologies was appointed as importer and distributor for Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
Lightweight, battery-powered, and completely cordless, SMART-C delivers advanced fluoroscopic imaging at the point of care. By removing the power and infrastructure requirements of traditional systems, it enables imaging in clinical environments where conventional C-Arms may not be practical. The system’s small footprint and high mobility can help reduce time and costs for providers, support physician-led imaging workflows, and enhance the overall patient experience.
How do you see alliances shaping the orthopedic industry? We’ll be watching for what the second half brings.
Strategic partnerships are increasingly important for expanding orthopedic product portfolios and market access. More than a dozen co-development initiatives and technology distribution agreements were announced in the first half of 2026.
These partnerships demonstrate the many ways that companies find strength in numbers throughout the...
Strategic partnerships are increasingly important for expanding orthopedic product portfolios and market access. More than a dozen co-development initiatives and technology distribution agreements were announced in the first half of 2026.
These partnerships demonstrate the many ways that companies find strength in numbers throughout the subsegments, creating a stronger industry as a whole.
Joint Replacement
Intellijoint Surgical and Insurgical seek to advance a more efficient, practical, and cost-conscious approach to surgery in the United States.
Intellijoint Surgical’s U.S. sales team will offer Insurgical’s single-use power tools alongside the Intellijoint Navigation System. Intellijoint provides an open platform, surgeon-controlled navigation system for total hip and knee replacement, while Insurgical brings power tools that are factory tested, terminally sterilized, and ready to use.
The partnership also includes a co-development initiative to explore the integration of Intellijoint Surgical’s tracking and navigation technology with Insurgical’s next-generation power tool platform. The co-development effort is currently in the planning phase, with additional details regarding design and commercialization to be announced at a later date.
Spine
Canary Medical and NanoHive Medical intend to jointly develop next-generation smart spinal cages that integrate Canary Medical’s implantable sensing technology with NanoHive’s Hive Soft Titanium spinal implants.
By integrating smart sensing into spinal interbody fusion cages, the companies aim to deliver objective, actionable data on fusion progression, segment mobility, and patient activity, thus enabling earlier identification of recovery deviations, more personalized rehabilitation, and data-informed intervention. Building on Canary Medical’s FDA-cleared smart knee platform, the partnership with NanoHive extends validated active implant architecture into spine to address a large market with significant unmet need.
Joint development efforts will focus on design integration, engineering validation, and defining key clinical applications. Development milestones and future clinical plans will be announced as progress continues.
Spartan Medical and SI-BONE will expand access to ultra–minimally invasive treatment options for Veterans and wounded warriors suffering from sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction.
More than 90,000 patients were diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction at VA Medical Centers across the United States in 2024, yet fewer than 0.5% received a long-term solution. This partnership aims to close that gap by bringing SI-BONE’s technologies—most notably the iFuse INTRA X procedure—to VA and DoD facilities nationwide.
The iFuse INTRA X procedure is an ultra-minimally invasive approach utilizing two precision-designed allografts placed percutaneously through a single needle-like incision. These allografts are engineered for intra-articular placement into the SI joint to limit joint motion and support long-term stability.
VB Spine signed a Master Service Agreement with Apolo Medica to commence distribution of VB Spine products in Mexico. The announcement follows VB Spine’s recent expansion into the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand. More recently, VB Spine announced that its European distribution center is up and running, as well.
Trauma
OrthoPediatrics and OSSIO will provide U.S. children’s hospitals with bio-integrative, metal-free fixation technology for the treatment of fractures and deformities in pediatric patients.
OSSIOfiber implants are made from a proprietary blend of natural mineral fibers that provide initial fixation strength comparable to traditional metal implants while safely and completely integrating into the patient’s own bone tissue within 18–24 months post-implantation, leaving no hardware behind.
Smith+Nephew signed a distribution agreement with SI-BONE for their iFuse TORQ portfolio of implants, which include indications for pelvic fracture and fusion of the SI joint. This collaboration expands Smith+Nephew’s offerings for percutaneous pelvic fracture fixation and supports their position in high-frequency, high-impact trauma procedures.
Smith+Nephew will have access to the broader iFuse TORQ portfolio alongside SI-BONE’s current sales channel.
Smith+Nephew also signed an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with RMR Ortho to add the A’TOMIC Nitinol Fixation System to its trauma, foot & ankle and hand & wrist portfolio. A’TOMIC Nitinol Fixation leverages proprietary manufacturing processes to provide compressive fixation implants that feature a wide bridge with barbed, round legs that match drill holes. The system is engineered to achieve stability of fusion, fracture and osteotomy sites through high strength and active compression.
Sports Medicine
Smith+Nephew and KARL STORZ North America agreed to team up to offer complementary visualization solutions. The companies will align Smith+Nephew’s sports medicine portfolio with KARL STORZ’s visualization, video management, and operating room integration technologies in support of multi-specialty hospital ORs and ASCs.
KARL STORZ’s expertise includes 3D imaging and near-infrared fluorescence. Smith+Nephew’s foundation offers applications that span joint repair implants, biologics, cartilage repair, RF technology, mechanical resection, and fluid management.
Orthobiologics
ATEC and Theradaptive entered into a definitive strategic partnership agreement. Concurrently, Theradaptive announced the initiation of a Series B investment round designed to accelerate the expansion of its proprietary protein-engineering platform across global therapeutic applications.
Under the terms of the their agreement, ATEC gains exclusive U.S. commercial rights to market and distribute Theradaptive’s OsteoAdapt osteoinductive bone graft for spinal fusion.
Leveraging proprietary AMP2 protein technology, OsteoAdapt is currently being evaluated in clinical trials in spine and dental applications. The technology has received three FDA Breakthrough Device Designations, underscoring its potential to address unmet medical needs in bone regeneration.
DePuy Synthes entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with CGBIO for the development and commercialization of NOVOSIS across its spine, craniomaxillofacial and trauma portfolios.
NOVOSIS is a novel growth-factor bone graft substitute designed to address unmet needs associated with existing solutions and to support improved clinical outcomes. An Investigational Device Exemption study for spine procedures is actively enrolling in the U.S. to evaluate safety and effectiveness. If supported by clinical data and regulatory approval, NOVOSIS will expand treatment options within DePuy Synthes’ spine portfolio.
Under the terms of the agreement, DePuy Synthes will hold exclusive distribution rights for NOVOSIS in the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as rights of first negotiation for additional global markets. Johnson & Johnson and CGBIO previously entered into an exclusive distribution and promotional agreement for NOVOSIS in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Hong Kong and Macau in 2025.
Osteopore signed an exclusive license with Accelerate for a bioactive technology platform, Heparan Sulphate, designed to accelerate bone and tissue regeneration.
Osteopore has been working with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology to incorporate various types of Heparan Sulphate with Osteopore’s technology. This combination has the potential to improve the rate and quality of bone regeneration, leading to faster recovery times, reduced complications, and improved overall patient health.
The license covers two families of Heparan Sulphate for all life science and medical use, research and clinical use, including patents and know-how. The countries and regions covered by the exclusive license include the United States, the European Union, and China.
This license spans 15 years and provides for an upfront payment, royalties linked to sales, and additional payments upon the achievement of market approval milestones.
Enabling Technology
EDGE Surgical entered into a $225,000 agreement appointing 3Di Medical as an authorized distributor for the Ortho EDG Universal Electronic Depth Gauge in Florida.
The addition of the Ortho EDG to the 3Di Medical portfolio opens an opportunity to share technologies that streamline the surgeons’ experience, both with existing clients and new surgeons who seek improved workflow and quality of care.
With the Universal Depth Gauge, featuring dynamic calibration technology, hospitals can fully replace their existing depth gauge inventory, reducing bioburden contamination risk, simplifying instrument management, and keeping operating rooms running on time.
Highridge Medical entered into an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Waypoint Orthopedics to access the Waypoint GPS. The enabling technology platform gives surgeons real-time guidance for pedicle screw placement without the radiation or complexity of traditional navigation and robotics.
Highridge plans to launch the product later this year.
Waypoint GPS is a fully disposable, single-use pedicle probe that uses proprietary color-sensing technology to provide physicians with real-time visual feedback to determine the difference between cancellous and cortical bone, as well as confirmation of the location of the cutting edge of the probe. The device looks and feels like a standard reusable pedicle probe and requires little change in technique.
Turner Imaging Systems announces an expanded agreement with Swissray Technologies, granting the company importing and distribution rights for the entire European Union.
The agreement builds on a partnership that began in 2021, when Swissray Technologies was appointed as importer and distributor for Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
Lightweight, battery-powered, and completely cordless, SMART-C delivers advanced fluoroscopic imaging at the point of care. By removing the power and infrastructure requirements of traditional systems, it enables imaging in clinical environments where conventional C-Arms may not be practical. The system’s small footprint and high mobility can help reduce time and costs for providers, support physician-led imaging workflows, and enhance the overall patient experience.
How do you see alliances shaping the orthopedic industry? We’ll be watching for what the second half brings.
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Julie Vetalice is ORTHOWORLD's Editorial Assistant. She has covered the orthopedic industry for over 20 years, having joined the company in 1999.
