SpinalMotion

SpinalMotion, Inc. operated as a medical device company with a specific focus on spinal disc arthroplasty, which is the replacement of degenerated spinal discs. Founded in June 2003 by Jim Shapiro and based in Mountain View, California, the company was dedicated to developing treatments for patients with degenerative disc disease. The firm's business revolved around the design, development, and marketing of artificial spinal discs and the specialized instrumentation required for their implantation.

The company's core products were the Kineflex lumbar disc and the Kineflex/C cervical disc, both of which were second-generation, metal-on-metal designs. These implants aimed to preserve motion in the spine, offering an alternative to spinal fusion. The design was intended to offer low wear and was supported by a proprietary, straightforward implantation technique. SpinalMotion targeted the orthopedic market, a segment that was experiencing rapid growth due to demographics and a focus on new treatments for spinal conditions.

Financially, SpinalMotion secured significant capital to fund its operations and clinical trials. The company raised a total of $87.2 million over seven funding rounds, with its first round occurring in March 2005 and its latest in October 2013. Investors included notable venture capital firms such as Skyline Ventures, MedVenture Associates, Thomas Weisel Healthcare Ventures, and Three Arch Partners. A major milestone was achieved in March 2012 when SpinalMotion received CE Mark approval in the European Union for its Kineflex cervical disc implants. The company also pursued regulatory approval in the United States, obtaining Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approvals from the FDA in 2005 to begin clinical trials for both its lumbar and cervical discs. However, PitchBook data indicates the company went out of business around June 2014.

Keywords: SpinalMotion, spinal disc arthroplasty, degenerative disc disease, Kineflex lumbar disc, Kineflex/C cervical disc, medical device, orthopedic implants, spine surgery, artificial disc replacement, motion preservation, Jim Shapiro, David Hovda, spinal implants, metal-on-metal design, clinical trials, FDA approval, CE Mark, venture capital, MedVenture Associates, Skyline Ventures, Thomas Weisel Healthcare Ventures, Three Arch Partners