Medtronic Expands Pain Portfolio with FDA-Cleared ViaVerte Basivertebral Nerve Ablation System
Key Insights
Medtronic has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Merit Medical Systems (search) to offer the FDA-cleared ViaVerte (search) system, the first and only basivertebral nerve (search) ablation system with physician-controlled steerable mechanism for chronic vertebrogenic lower back pain (search).
The ViaVerte (search) system provides a minimally invasive, same-day outpatient procedure for patients suffering from chronic low-back pain caused by damaged vertebral endplates, expanding treatment options in a rapidly growing therapy area.
This strategic partnership strengthens Medtronic's comprehensive pain interventions portfolio and builds upon an existing relationship where Merit supplies components for Medtronic's vertebral compression fracture treatments.
Medtronic plc has announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Merit Medical Systems (search) to offer the FDA-cleared ViaVerte (search)™ basivertebral nerve (search) ablation (BVNA) system, marking a significant expansion of the medical device giant's pain intervention portfolio. The ViaVerte system represents the first and only BVNA technology featuring a physician-controlled steerable mechanism for precise basivertebral nerve targeting in treating chronic vertebrogenic lower back pain (search).
Revolutionary Steerable Technology for Pain Management
The ViaVerte (search) system addresses a critical need in pain management, offering patients a minimally invasive, implant-free solution delivered through same-day outpatient procedures. This technology specifically targets chronic low-back pain caused by damaged vertebral endplates, representing a rapidly growing therapy option in the interventional pain space.
"For 50 years, we have advanced how chronic pain (search) is treated," said Paolo Di Vincenzo, president of Medtronic Neuromodulation, part of the Medtronic Neuroscience Portfolio. "Adding ViaVerte (search)™ Basivertebral Nerve (search) Ablation expands our world-leading pain interventions portfolio and gives patients and their physicians another meaningful option for lasting relief."
Addressing Significant Patient Population
The clinical significance of this partnership becomes clear when considering the scope of chronic pain (search) in the United States. According to the American Chronic Pain Association (search) (ACPA), an estimated one in three Americans suffer from some type of chronic pain, representing a substantial patient population that could potentially benefit from advanced BVNA treatments.
The ViaVerte (search) system will be available later this year, providing healthcare providers with an additional tool in their arsenal for managing complex chronic pain (search) conditions. The technology's minimally invasive approach aligns with current trends toward outpatient procedures that reduce patient burden while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
Strategic Partnership Expansion
This agreement builds upon an established business relationship between Medtronic and Merit Medical Systems (search). Merit currently supplies Medtronic's Kyphon™ Xpander™ Inflation Syringes used in balloon kyphoplasty procedures and Kyphon™ KyphoFlex™ unipedicular steerable balloon catheter for treating vertebral compression fractures (search).
"We are thrilled to expand our ongoing business relationship with Medtronic by providing Merit's proprietary articulating technology," said Michael Blackham, executive vice president, Global OEM at Merit Medical Systems (search). "We believe ViaVerte (search)™ represents a significant advancement in the BVNA market."
Martha G. Aronson, president and chief executive officer of Merit Medical Systems (search), emphasized the collaborative nature of the partnership: "This agreement underscores our mutual dedication to providing innovative therapies to support physicians and their patients."
Comprehensive Pain Portfolio Enhancement
The addition of ViaVerte (search) to Medtronic's pain therapy portfolio creates a more comprehensive treatment ecosystem. The company's existing pain management technologies include spinal cord stimulation, vertebral augmentation, nerve ablation, bone tumor ablation, and targeted drug delivery systems. The integration of an advanced steerable solution for BVNA directly addresses growing demand for expanded therapy options in interventional pain management.
This strategic acquisition continues Medtronic's momentum in executing deals that strengthen the company's leadership within its core franchises, supporting its mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life across its global operations spanning more than 150 countries.