Silver Bullet Therapeutics, Inc. has announced FDA approval to commence a pre-market study for its OrthoFuzIon Bone Screw System. This pivotal study will assess the efficacy of the company's proprietary silver-platinum coating in promoting orthopedic healing. The company has also formed a partnership with Merge Medical to enhance its outreach and collaboration within the medical community.
The FDA-approved study, titled "Non-Inferiority Study of the Silver-Platinum Coated OrthoFuzIon™ Bone Screw System Against the Literature Related to Union/Non-Union Incidence on Lateral Malleolus Fractures (AO Classification 44A-44C) on Patients > 55 Years Old with a Co-Morbidity," aims to objectively evaluate the impact of silver and OrthoFuzIon on orthopedic healing. The study will support the company's 510k filing for market clearance.
OrthoFuzIon Technology
The OrthoFuzIon Orthopedic System features a comprehensive antimicrobial coating technology. The initial application is focused on a bone screw product line designed for orthopedic procedures. In the EU, the OrthoFuzIon Bone Screws are approved for commercialization and are indicated for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) fracture surgeries. These screws are plated to inhibit microbial colonization and reduce implant-related infections in revision surgeries due to implant infection or primary surgeries in patients at risk of such infections. These infections often necessitate reoperation, leading to substantial costs for hospitals.
Executive Perspectives
Paul Chirico, President and CEO of Silver Bullet Therapeutics, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, "Silver Bullet has worked with the FDA for years to evaluate this technology. This is the first study for a permanent antimicrobial orthopedic implant. This is not only a major milestone for the practice of orthopedics but will provide clinically useful information and products in a relatively short period." He also noted the strategic advantage of securing long-term tenders against larger corporations with the only antimicrobial bone screw system available.
Strategic Partnerships
Silver Bullet Therapeutics has also partnered with Merge Medical, a community of physicians focused on medical innovation and startup investing. This collaboration aims to build an ecosystem featuring an on-demand talent-matching marketplace for MedTech innovators, supported by a network of physician advisors, investors, and key opinion leaders.
Jeffrey Cole, MD, stated, "Their technology has the potential to make a significant global impact in preventing orthopedic implant infections."
Jeffrey Brown, DO, co-founder of Merge Medical, added, "We had a great time learning more about Silver Bullet. We look forward to releasing their podcast episode before the orthopedic academy meeting in March and introducing them to physicians and medical device executives within our network."
Prior Research
Silver Bullet Therapeutics highlighted an in vivo biofilm publication titled, "Biofilm formation on metal alloys and coatings, zirconia, and hydroxyapatite as implant materials in vivo" that was born out of the R&D relationship with Straumann. It stated, "In conclusion, all noble alloys showed benefits concerning plaque accumulation and bacterial viability with AgPt [Silver Bullet Therapeutics AntiBacterIon™] as the most promising alloy followed by AgAuPd and PA."
About Silver Bullet Therapeutics, Inc.
Silver Bullet Therapeutics, Inc., based in San Jose, CA, specializes in developing and patenting antimicrobial coatings to prevent surgical-site and hospital-acquired infections by inhibiting microbial colonization on implanted medical devices. The company's lead product, the OrthoFuzIon Bone Screw System, utilizes a proprietary blend of platinum and silver technology, called AntiBacterIon, to create an antimicrobial zone around the bone screw.
