Medtronic “Repurposes” Spine Convention Booth To Tell Its Side of BMP Story

Article preview from IN VIVO - October, 2013

The firm’s bare-bones booth at the North American Spine Society annual meeting was a conspicuous sign of strains between Medtronic and the clinical group over how issues surrounding its rhBMP-2 Infuse bone graft have been presented.

Medtronic “Repurposes” Spine Convention Booth To Tell Its Side of BMP Story

Article preview from IN VIVO - October, 2013

A stronger financial picture in the spine space lifted the mood at this year’s North American Spine Society annual meeting in New Orleans, but the typically collegial tone was undercut a bit by a disagreement between Medtronic Inc. and the group over discussions of its InFuse bone graft.

The strain was clearly evident on the exhibition floor. Rather than take its typical high profile spot, Medtronic instead “repurposed” its booth. Instead of towering images of kyphoplasty tools and other devices, Medtronic set out a few tables, chairs and an information desk staffed not by sales people but by members of its Office of Medical Affairs.

The move, according to Medtronic officials, was in direct response to the spine society’s focus on the controversy surrounding rhBMP-2, the key ingredient in Medtronic’s Infuse bone graft. Medtronic officials say the firm is in favor of discussion and debate, but disagreed with the direction and focus the dialogue had taken at the meeting.

In a letter distributed at the booth, Douglas King, senior VP and president of Medtronic’s spine unit, says the company believed “recent editorials and publications, including those supported by the North American Spine Society (NASS), as well as the potentially unbalanced panel presentations at this year’s NASS annual meeting could add to surgeon confusion on this topic. Therefore, Medtronic is repurposing our exhibit space at this year’s NASS annual meeting.”

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