Orthovita highlights positive findings from vertebroplasty trial

Orthovita has highlighted the advantages of vertebroplasty in the treatment of acute vertebral compression fractures following the publication of new study data.

Results from the recent Vertoss II clinical trial have been published in The Lancet this month, comparing the use of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement-based vertebroplasty to conservative care among elderly patients with acute painful vertebral fractures.

It was found that the vertebroplasty was able to deliver superior pain relief to conservative treatment at all timepoints.

Orthovita indicated that this also supports the efficacy of its synthetic biomaterial Cortos, which has been shown in separate clinical studies to provide better pain relief performance than PMMA.

Dr Maarten Persenaire, chief medical officer of Orthovita, added: "The results of the Vertos II study show that vertebroplasty is an effective treatment of acute painful osteoporotic fractures in properly selected patients."

According to Orthovita's most recent financial report in May 2010, the company saw a strong first quarter this year, with sales exceeding those of the corresponding period of 2009 by 11 per cent.