Medtronic Announces New Indication Approval for InductOs

Medtronic announced that the European Commission has approved a spinal fusion indication for InductOs, the surgically implanted product containing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) that promotes new bone growth, or bone regeneration.

With the new indication, InductOs is now available for use with the LT-CAGE device for single-level anterior lumbar spinal fusion in adults with degenerative disc disease who have had at least six months of nonoperative treatment for this condition. Patients can avoid the pain and complications associated with treating one aspect of degenerative disc disease by eliminating the surgery needed to harvest bone from the patient's hip, as has been traditionally done in spine fusion procedures. InductOs is used to increase the probability that tibial fractures will heal faster and reduce the need for additional surgeries to achieve complete healing.

RhBMP-2 is a naturally occurring protein that results in the formation of new bone when implanted in specific, targeted areas in the spine by causing cells to differentiate into bone-forming cells. It has already been used safely and effectively in treating tens of thousands of patients suffering from lumbar degenerative disc disease in the U.S. where the product is known as INFUSE Bone Graft.