Toyobo signs an agreement with U.S. distributor to expand Nerbridge® sales

Toyobo Co., Ltd. has signed an exclusive U.S. agreement with Synovis Micro Companies Alliance Inc. (hereafter Synovis MCA), a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc., as distributor for Nerbridge_®, a conduit for regenerating damaged peripheral nerves. Synovis MCA plans to start selling the product in the United States in September 2018.

1. Background

In 2013, Toyobo began domestic sales of Nerbridge_® as Japan’s first medical device to facilitate regeneration of peripheral nerves severed or damaged due to external injury. Nerbridge_® differs from existing treatment methods, because it allows treatment without the harvesting of healthy nerves taken from the patient for autografting. Accordingly, it is considered to be an effective and safe nerve regeneration device that reduces the physical burden on the patient. Since its market debut, Nerbridge_® has been used at medical institutions across Japan.

2. How the agreement with Synovis MCA was reached

Synovis MCA’s initial entry into the nerve market was in 2005 with the nerve conduit named “Neurotube”. The company boasts outstanding sales records on the strength of its robust sales networks and extensive networks with the medical care sector. Toyobo concluded a distributor agreement with Synovis MCA because Nerbridge_®’s unique advantages and reliability backed up by its sales record in Japan matches the needs in the U.S., which is the world’s largest market of such nerve regeneration devices.

3. Business schedule

After Nerbridge_® is introduced at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand meeting to be held in Boston, September 13-15, Synovis MCA will start limited sales of the product as a precursor to full-fledged sales in 2019. Furthermore, Toyobo plans to expand its sales outside the United States in 2020.

Main features of Nerbridge_®

Nerbridge_® is a tube made of polyglycolic acid filled with collagen to facilitate nerve growth, which differentiates it from other products currently available in the U.S. By inserting and fixing Nerbridge_® between the ends of a severed nerve, the product induces regeneration and extension of the nerve from the central nervous system side into the peripheral nerve through the tube, restoring the nerve functions. Using Nerbridge_® makes it unnecessary to harvest healthy peripheral nerves for autografting, considerably reducing the patient’s burden and shortening the time needed for surgical treatment. The polyglycolic acid and collagen used in Nerbridge_® dissolve and are absorbed by the patient’s body after the nerve is regenerated.

Leaflet

Outline of the two U.S. firms

Synovis Micro Companies Alliance Inc.

Headquarters	:	439 Industrial Lane, Birmingham, AL 35211, USA
President	:	Michael K. Campbell
Main business operations	:	Sales of devices for precision surgeries

Baxter International Inc.

Headquarters	:	1 Baxter Parkway, Deerfield, IL 60015, USA
Chairman, President and CEO	:	José E. Almeida
Main business operations	:	Development, manufacturing and sales of drugs and medical equipment to treat immunodeficiency, cancers, infectious diseases, kidney diseases and external injuries

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