Smith+Nephew raises the bar in knee revisions by launching new LEGION™ Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM™ Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Smith+Nephew has launched the LEGION Hinged Knee (HK) System with OXINIUM Technology in the United States. This system, part of the LEGION Total Knee System, is designed to provide a natural range of motion and allows surgeons to transition intraoperatively from a constrained revision knee implant to a hinged assembly. The OXINIUM Technology offers several advantages over traditional materials, including:

• Lower inflammatory response
• Superior wear resistance
• Reduced surface damage
• Fewer signs of corrosion damage

These benefits help mitigate common risk factors associated with revision procedures. The LEGION revision with OXINIUM Technology has demonstrated the lowest risk of re-revision compared to the class average.

Positive

• Launch of LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology in the US market
• OXINIUM Technology demonstrates lower inflammatory response, superior wear resistance, and reduced surface damage compared to cobalt chrome
• LEGION revision with OXINIUM Technology shows the lowest risk of re-revision compared to class average

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

Smith+Nephew's launch of the LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology represents a significant advancement in knee revision surgery. The system combines the durability of metals with the wear resistance of ceramics, addressing key challenges in complex knee procedures.

Key points:

• OXINIUM Technology demonstrates lower inflammatory response and superior wear resistance compared to cobalt chrome
• The system shows fewer signs of corrosion damage, potentially reducing risk factors in revision procedures
• LEGION revision with OXINIUM has the lowest risk of re-revision compared to class average

This innovation could lead to improved patient outcomes and potentially reduce the need for additional surgeries. For investors, this product launch strengthens Smith+Nephew's position in the competitive orthopaedic market, potentially driving revenue growth in their knee replacement segment.

Financial Analyst

The launch of the LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology is a positive development for Smith+Nephew (SNN), potentially impacting its financial performance in the orthopaedics segment. Key financial implications include:

• Market share growth: The advanced technology could help SNN gain market share in the lucrative knee revision surgery market
• Pricing power: Superior performance may justify premium pricing, potentially improving profit margins
• Reduced liability: Lower risk of re-revision could decrease long-term warranty costs and legal liabilities

While specific revenue projections aren't provided, this product launch aligns with SNN's strategy to innovate in high-value orthopaedic segments. Investors should monitor future earnings reports for indications of revenue growth and margin improvements in the orthopaedics division as a result of this product introduction.

Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company announced today that its LEGION Hinged Knee (HK) System is now available in the United States with proprietary OXINIUM (Oxidized Zirconium) implant technology that delivers the durability of metals, the wear resistance of ceramics, and corrosion resistance better than both.^1-11

Part of the LEGION Total Knee (TK) System, the LEGION HK System is designed to provide a natural range of motion with medial pivot, lateral roll back, and screw home. Since 2011, the LEGION HK System has enabled surgeons to transition intraoperatively from a constrained revision knee implant to a CoCr-hinged assembly.                                                                                                                                  

The award winning OXINIUM Technology¹² has demonstrated lower inflammatory response,^*6,7 superior wear resistance and reduced surface damage,^+3,4 and fewer signs of corrosion damage^+9,13 compared to cobalt chrome, ultimately helping to mitigate common risk factors associated with revision procedures.^14,15 LEGION revision with proprietary OXINIUM Technology has established itself as the best performing bearing with the lowest risk of re-revision compared to the class average.^13,16

Dr. Kevin Hardt, MD, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital System shares, “The LEGION HK System with OXINIUM Technology allows me to achieve a stable reconstruction in the coronal and sagittal planes despite my patient's multiple previous surgeries and ligamentous, capsular deficiency. The innovative, posteriorly located, rotational axis with the LEGION HK System provides an extension moment to augment quad function. In addition, the instrumentation is straightforward and compliments my normal revision workflow.”

“Our proprietary OXINIUM Technology is ideal for revisions. Building on the proven performance of our LEGION HK System, our latest innovation allows Smith+Nephew to raise the bar in knee surgery, delivering the most advanced material technology for patients requiring a complex knee revision,” said Craig Gaffin, President of Global Orthopaedics at Smith+Nephew. “It demonstrates our commitment of Life Unlimited for patients requiring complex knee procedures by providing solutions that address the risk factors commonly associated with this type of surgery.”


To learn more about the LEGION HK System with OXINIUM, please visit https://www.oxinium.com/ideal-for-revisions.

- ends –

Enquiries
Media
Dave Snyder          +1 (978) 749-1440 
Smith+Nephew      david.snyder@smith-nephew.com

References

1. Hunter G, Dickinson J, Herb B, et al. Creation of oxidized zirconium orthopaedic implants. Journal of ASTM International. 2005;2:1-14.
2. Long M, Riester L, Hunter G. Nano-hardness Measurements of Oxidized Zr-2.5Nb and Various Orthopaedic Materials. Abstract presented at: 24th Annual Meeting of the Society for Biomaterials. April 22-26, 1998, San Diego, California.
3. Parikh A, Hill P, Pawar V, Sprague J. Long-term Simulator Wear Performance of an Advanced Bearing Technology for THA. Poster presented at: 2013 Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society. Poster no. 1028.
4. Papannagari R, Hines G, Sprague J, Morrison M. Long-term wear performance of an advanced bearing technology for TKA. Poster presented at: 2011 Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society. Poster no. 1141.
5. Smith+Nephew 2010. OR-10-155.
6. Dalal A, Pawar V, McAllister K, Weaver C, Hallab NJ. Orthopedic implant cobalt-alloy particles produce greater toxicity and inflammatory cytokines than titanium alloy and zirconium alloy-based particles in vitro, in human osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and macrophages. J Biomed Mater Res Part A. 2012;100A:2147-2158.
7. Hallab NJ, McAllister H, Jacobs JJ, Pawar V. Zirconium-alloy and zirconium-oxide particles produce less toxicity and inflammatory cytokines than cobalt-alloy and titanium-alloy particles in vitro, in human osteoblasts, fibroblasts and macrophages. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), 2012. San Francisco, CA.
8. Aldinger P, Williams T, Woodard E. Accelerated Fretting Corrosion Testing of Zirconia Toughened Alumina Composite Ceramic and a New Composition of Ceramicised Metal Femoral Heads. Poster presented at: 2017 Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society. Poster no. 1037.
9. Smith+Nephew 2016. OR-16-127.
10. ASTM International Standard Specification for Wrought Zirconium-2.5 Niobium Alloy for Surgical Implant Applications (UNS R60901) Designation: F 2384 – 10.
11. Patrick C, Delhougne G, Patel A. Retrospective Analysis of Oxidized Zirconium Bearing Surface in Hip Replacement 90-Day Episode Claims. ISPOR EU Poster, 2019.
12. 2005 ASM International Engineering Materials Achievement Award.
13. Cartner J, Aldinger P, Newman M. Characterization of tapers in TKA revisions from a 16-year retrieval database. Poster presented at: Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting; 2016; Orlando, FL.
14. Agarwal S, Kabariti R, Kakar R, Lopez D, Morgan-Jones R. Why are revision knee replacements failing? The Knee. 2019;26:774-778.
15. Yu S, Bolz N, Buza J, et al. Rerevision Total Knee Arthroplasty: Epidemiology and Factors Associated with Outcomes. Orthopaedic Proceedings. 2018;99-B:Supplement 6. Available at: https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/abs/10.1302/1358992X.99BSUPP_6.ISTA2016-117.
16. National Joint Registry for England, Wales and Northern Ireland: LEGION revision OXINIUM (with revision tibial) implant summary report 15 August 2024. Report available upon request.
    
    

*The results of in vitro cytokine expression analyses have not been proven to quantitatively predict clinical cytokine expression.

+The results of in vitro wear simulation testing have not been proven to quantitatively predict clinical wear performance.

Products featured may not be available in individual markets due to regulatory and/or medical practices. Please contact your Smith+Nephew representative if you have questions about availability of Smith+Nephew products in your area.

About Smith+Nephew

Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 18,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.

Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in more than 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $5.5 billion in 2023. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visit www.smith-nephew.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Forward-looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements that may or may not prove accurate. For example, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading profit margins, market trends and our product pipeline are forward-looking statements. Phrases such as "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. For Smith+Nephew, these factors include: conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, economic and financial conditions in the markets we serve, especially those affecting healthcare providers, payers and customers; price levels for established and innovative medical devices; developments in medical technology; regulatory approvals, reimbursement decisions or other government actions; product defects or recalls or other problems with quality management systems or failure to comply with related regulations; litigation relating to patent or other claims; legal and financial compliance risks and related investigative, remedial or enforcement actions; disruption to our supply chain or operations or those of our suppliers; competition for qualified personnel; strategic actions, including acquisitions and disposals, our success in performing due diligence, valuing and integrating acquired businesses; disruption that may result from transactions or other changes we make in our business plans or organisation to adapt to market developments; relationships with healthcare professionals; reliance on information technology and cybersecurity; disruptions due to natural disasters, weather and climate change related events; changes in customer and other stakeholder sustainability expectations; changes in taxation regulations; effects of foreign exchange volatility; and numerous other matters that affect us or our markets, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or reputational nature. Please refer to the documents that Smith+Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith+Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20-F, which is available on the SEC’s website at www. sec.gov, for a discussion of certain of these factors. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Smith+Nephew as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith+Nephew are qualified by this caution. Smith+Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Smith+Nephew's expectations.

^◊ Trademark of Smith+Nephew. Certain marks registered in US Patent and Trademark Office.

FAQ

What is the new LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology launched by Smith+Nephew (SNN)?

Smith+Nephew (SNN) has launched the LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology, which is designed to provide a natural range of motion and allows surgeons to transition intraoperatively from a constrained revision knee implant to a hinged assembly. The OXINIUM Technology offers advantages such as lower inflammatory response, superior wear resistance, and reduced surface damage compared to traditional materials.

How does the LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology benefit patients undergoing knee revision surgery?

The LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology benefits patients undergoing knee revision surgery by mitigating common risk factors associated with revision procedures. It offers lower inflammatory response, superior wear resistance, reduced surface damage, and fewer signs of corrosion damage compared to cobalt chrome. Additionally, it has demonstrated the lowest risk of re-revision compared to the class average.

When did Smith+Nephew (SNN) make the LEGION Hinged Knee System available in the United States?

Smith+Nephew (SNN) announced the availability of the LEGION Hinged Knee System with OXINIUM Technology in the United States on the date of this press release. The system has been part of the LEGION Total Knee System since 2011, but the integration of OXINIUM Technology is a new development.