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August 26, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

August 26, 2016

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KFx announced that it has been awarded a third patent (US 9,414,835 (‘835)) for self-punching or self-tapping orthopedic anchors that eliminate the need to drill a hole prior to insertion. US (‘835) is part of the family of patents that are the subject of KFx’s pending patent infringement suit against Arthrex, a Naples, Florida based company.

In April 2015 KFx announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reaffirmed their ruling upholding a judgment of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California that Arthrex infringed three valid KFx patents for double-row rotator cuff repair. The total judgment in favor of KFx amounted to over $35 million. In the April 2015 ruling the Appeals Court denied Arthrex’s petition for en banc rehearing and issued a mandate to enforce the judgment. Arthrex thereafter paid in excess of $35 million to KFx. In November 2015 KFx announced that a petition for writ of certiorari filed by Arthrex was denied by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Separately, Arthrex filed suit on July 31, 2015 versus KFx and Dr. Joe Tauro alleging various claims. KFx and Dr. Tauro denied the allegations. Previously KFx had announced that it considered the Arthrex lawsuit baseless. The Court agreed and promptly dismissed Arthrex’s claims. In addition, KFx asserted new counterclaims for patent infringement based on Arthrex’s infringement of two KFx patents for self-punching orthopedic anchors that eliminate the need to drill a hole prior to insertion. The KFx counterclaims remain pending. A trial date has not yet been set.

“We are pleased to have the USPTO award the ‘835 patent to add to our family of self-punching or self-tapping anchors. This further supports our pending case versus Arthrex,” remarked Tate Scott, president and CEO of KFx.

KFx is represented by Knobbe Martens of Irvine, CA and COLE SCHOTZ P.C. of Hackensack, New Jersey in the matter.

Cooley LLP is General Counsel to KFx.

About KFx Medical

Headquartered in Solana Beach, Calif., KFx Medical was founded in 2003 to develop products for tissue fixation in a variety of orthopedic surgical procedures performed on the shoulder, knee, foot, and ankle. KFx provides simple systems for orthopedic surgeons focused on sports medicine.

The company is privately held — Investors include Alloy VenturesCharter Life SciencesArboretum VenturesMontreux Equity Partners, and MB Venture Partners.

Contacts

KFx Medical
W. Tate Scott, 619-742-2010
Tate.Scott@KFxmed.com


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August 26, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

By AMANDA CICCATELLI – August 23, 2016

Patents are essential to encouraging innovation, but can also limit competition. Intuitive Surgical has dominated the global robotic surgery market (which is expected to hit $11.4 billion by 2020) since the FDA approved its Da Vinci surgical system 16 years ago; today, the machine is used in more than 200,000 operations annually. But many of Intuitive Surgical’s patents begin to expire this year, clearing the way for new technologies to enter the marketplace.

Newcomers include TransEnterix, which is working to commercialize the ALF-X robot, designed to perform minimally invasive surgeries and expected to enter the market in 2017. Google’s Verily, meanwhile, has partnered with Johnson & Johnson to form Verb Surgical, a robotic surgery and medical device that aims to go beyond robotics to what CEO Scott Huennekens calls “digital surgery” — incorporating advanced visualization, instrumentation and analytics.

 Josue Villalta of Knobbe Martens recently sat down with Inside Counsel to explore how the patent system has impacted development and innovation in the robotic surgery space and how the expiration of Intuitive Surgical’s patents is expected to impact the marketplace.

The patent system has allowed innovators in the robotic surgery space the ability to protect their innovations while excluding others from practicing the innovations covered by their patents, and in turn, providing barriers to entry into the market for potential competitors. “This is particularly important given that robotic surgical systems are very complex systems that take years to develop, in addition to having to go through an FDA approval process before they can be used in the U.S.,” he explained.

The main player in the robotic surgery space has been Intuitive Surgical, which a search of the public USPTO assignment database indicates has 649 U.S. patents. According to Villalta, however, this number does not capture patents that Intuitive Surgical may have rights to, so the number of patents Intuitive Surgical may have that cover its technology may be much higher.

 

READ THE REST HERE


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August 26, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

Written by  Megan Wood – August 25, 2016

 

Robotic technology is gaining traction in the spine surgery field, allowing surgeons to pre-plan and customize procedures to fit an individual’s anatomy.

In a Mazor Robotics-sponsored webinar, Dennis P. Devito, MD, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta spine program director, and Kornelis Poelstra, MD, PhD, of Miramar, Fla.-based Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, discussed their experiences using Mazor Robotics technology during spine surgeries.

“Robotics are here to stay and are really going to help us,” said Dr. Poelstra, who has already performed 92 Mazor X cases to date.

Although Dr. Devito relied on freehand technique for the majority of his career, Dr. Devito began using robotic technology in 2006, to “add a dimension of safety and precision” to pedicle screw implantation during spinal surgery.

The United States has 70 hospitals actively using Mazor Robotics technology with 113 centers globally, and 16,000 cases have been performed worldwide.

Dr. Devito’s clinical evidence
Dr. Devito and his colleagues at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) prospectively collected data on cases using robotic-guided technology.

 

READ THE REST HERE


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August 26, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Aug. 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cesca Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:KOOL), an autologous cell-based regenerative medicine company, today announced that the Company has converted a senior secured three year convertible debenture of $12.5 million of principal and $8.25 million of interest to 6,102,941 shares of its common stock. The conversion was effected in accordance with the previously announced purchase agreement entered into between Cesca Therapeutics and Boyalife USA, dated February 2, 2016. It releases Cesca from all security interest and liens previously placed against the Company’s assets and eliminates Boyalife’s entitlement to certain participation rights in, or consent rights over, potential future equity and debt financings.

As a result of the conversion, Boyalife’s total holding in the Company will increase to 6,838,235 shares, or 70% of shares outstanding. The Company’s Board of Directors will increase to seven members of which Boyalife will have the right to designate three.

“We are pleased to have been able to convert all of our outstanding debt to equity”, commented Robin Stracey, Cesca Therapeutics’ Chief Executive Officer. “It enhances our balance sheet and gives us much greater financial flexibility in determining how best to proceed with our clinical programs, including the FDA-approved Phase III pivotal trial for the evaluation of our SurgWerks™ platform for the treatment of patients with late-stage critical limb ischemia. Boyalife has been, and continues to be, a valuable strategic partner that remains committed to both our historical cord blood banking business and to our proprietary cell therapy programs. We look forward to working more closely with them in unlocking the full commercial potential of our Company and driving shareholder value”.

About Cesca Therapeutics Inc. 

Cesca Therapeutics Inc. (www.cescatherapeutics.com) is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cellular therapies and delivery systems for use in regenerative medicine. The Company is a leader in the development and manufacture of automated blood and bone marrow processing systems that enable the separation, processing and preservation of cell and tissue therapeutics.  These include:

  • The SurgWerks™ System(in development) – a proprietary system comprised of the SurgWerks Processing Platform, including devices and analytics, and indication-specific SurgWerks Procedure  Kits  for use in regenerative stem cell therapy at the point-of-care for  vascular and orthopedic diseases.
  • The CellWerks™ System(in development) – a proprietary cell processing system with associated analytics for intra-laboratory preparation of adult stem cells from bone marrow or blood.
  • The AutoXpress® System(AXP®) – a proprietary automated device and companion sterile disposable for concentrating hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood.
  • The MarrowXpress™System (MXP™) – a derivative product of the AXP and its accompanying sterile disposable for the isolation and concentration of hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow.
  • The BioArchive® System– an automated cryogenic device used by cord blood banks for the cryopreservation and storage of cord blood stem cell concentrate for future use.
  • Manual bag setsfor use in the processing and cryogenic storage of cord blood.

Forward-Looking Statements and Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995    

This press release includes statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions, speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to change.  Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “potential,” “continue,” “look forward to,” “will” and similar expressions and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the conversion of outstanding debentures, the taking of certain actions with respect to the conversion of such debentures owned by Boyalife Investment, Inc. and the anticipated expansion of the board of directors and designation of directors by Boyalife Investment, Inc. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in such statements. A more complete description of risks that could cause actual events to differ from the outcomes predicted by these forward-looking statements is set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, and you should consider each of those factors when evaluating the forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

Company Contact: Cesca Therapeutics Inc.

ir@cescatherapeutics.com

 

Investor Contact: The Ruth Group

Lee Roth / Tram Bui

646-536-7012 / 7035

lroth@theruthgroup.com / tbui@theruthgroup.com


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August 26, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

ATLANTA, GA–(Marketwired – Aug 25, 2016) – Medovex Corp. (NASDAQ: MDVX), a developer of medical technology products, announced today that it has added orthopedic industry veteran Ron Lawson to its Board of Directors.

Ron Lawson’s 35 plus years of experience in the orthopedic industry include the role as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Customer Service for Pfizer’s Orthopedic Division, Howmedica (1996). In 1998, he became part of the Stryker Corporation with Stryker’s acquisition of Howmedica. At Stryker, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development. Mr. Lawson also played a critical and insightful role in the successful integration of the two companies. In 2000, he was asked to lead the revitalization of Stryker’s European business as President, EMEA. He shortly thereafter assumed the role of leadership for all of Stryker’s International distribution businesses and was promoted to Group President, International in 2001.

In 2005, Stryker assigned global responsibility of their orthopedic division to Mr. Lawson making him Group President for International and Global Orthopedics. He then focused on strengthening the Stryker Orthopedic business worldwide. Ron retired from Stryker at the end of 2007.

Ron Lawson is currently a member of the Lawson Group where he provides strategic consulting services specializing in orthopedic medical technology. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of IMDS, Corporation. He also served as a member of the Health Care Advisory Board of Arsenal Capital Partners. He presently serves as a Director of Plasmology 4, Corporation as well as a Director of DJO Global, a Blackstone company.

Jarrett Gorlin, Medovex Corporation Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Mr. Lawson is well regarded as one of the key leaders aided in the development of the orthopedic industry. With the progress of our flagship DenerveX™ Device and other opportunities currently under review, his addition to our team is highly strategic. We look forward to working with Ron and leveraging his relationships throughout the world. I’d also like to say a special thank you to outgoing board member Thomas Hills for all of his invaluable support over the last couple years.”

Ron Lawson added, “I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Medovex Corporation at a time I believe to be an inflection point for the Company. The company is now strategically positioned to offer great value to both surgeons and patients dealing with pain associated with the Facet Joint. I look forward to assisting management in identifying and vetting other potentially complementary additions to its portfolio of assets, as well as helping to further strengthen the Company’s relationships with surgeon opinion leaders around the world.”

The Company’s patented DenerveX System is currently in the final development stages. It is designed to provide longer lasting relief of pain associated with the facet joint. Lower back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the U.S. for adults. Studies indicate that 10% of the U.S. adult population suffers from lower back pain and 31% of those affected are attributed to facet joint pain.

The DenerveX System consists of the DenerveX device kit, a single use device, and the DenerveX Pro-40 Power Generator. The DenerveX system is designed to provide a minimally invasive treatment option which combines two actions into one device. The combined procedure is expected to provide a longer lasting solution and potential savings to the health care system.

DenerveX system is not yet CE marked or FDA cleared and is not yet commercially available.

About Medovex

Medovex was formed to acquire and develop a diversified portfolio of potentially ground breaking medical technology products. Criteria for selection include those products with potential for significant improvement in the quality of patient care combined with cost effectiveness. The Company’s first pipeline product, the DenerveX device, is intended to provide long lasting relief from pain associated with facet joint syndrome at significantly less cost than currently available options. To learn more about Medovex Corp., visit www.medovex.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • CONTACT INFORMATION

    Medovex Corp.
    Jason Assad
    470-505-9905
    Email Contact

 


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August 26, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

August 26, 2016

HUNTLEY, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Life Spine, a medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for the surgical treatment of spinal disorders, announced today that the company has successfully completed initial cases with the SENTRY Lateral Plate System. SENTRY is a revolutionary lateral plate that has a low profile, intuitive design with a cam locking mechanism which allows the system to provide visual, tactile and audible confirmation of final locking.

SENTRY rounds out Life Spine’s full procedural offering for eLIF lateral fusion which consists of the LONGBOWExpandable Spacer, CENTRIC® Expandable Retractor System, OSTEO-LINK® biologics, PLATEAU®-X Lateral Spacer System and an integrated full line neuromonitoring system.

“The SENTRY Lateral Plate System is a key innovation and has changed the way I approach my MIS procedures. The slim profile and small size work seamlessly with my minimally invasive approach, allowing me to keep the incision site as small as possible,” said Dr. Zeshan Hyder, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at the Bone and Joint Specialists in Indiana. “I am also able to achieve the ideal amount of fixation without having to use percutaneous screws. Because of that, I am only creating one incision site instead of multiple.”

SENTRY is scheduled for full product release by the end of 2016.

About Life Spine

Life Spine is dedicated to improving the quality of life for spinal patients by increasing procedural efficiency and efficacy through innovative design, uncompromising quality standards, and the most technologically advanced manufacturing platforms. Life Spine, which is privately held, is based in Huntley, Illinois. For more information, please visit:http://www.lifespine.com.

Life Spine is a registered trademark.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160826005083/en/


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August 25, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

BEDFORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– August 25, 2016

Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (ANIK), a global, integrated orthopedic medicines company specializing in therapeutics based on its proprietary hyaluronic acid (“HA”) technology, today announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Sylvia Cheung, will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences:

  • Barrington Research Fall Investment Conference on Thursday, September 8, 2016. The conference consists of 1:1 meetings, and it is being held at the Four Seasons hotel in Chicago.
  • Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference on Monday, September 12, 2016. Ms. Cheung is scheduled to present at 5:25 pm ET. The conference is being held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in New York City.
  • Rodman & Renshaw 18th Annual Global Investment Conference on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Ms. Cheung is scheduled to present at 2:35 pm ET. The conference is being held at the Lotte New York Palace hotel in New York City.

Live audio webcasts of the Morgan Stanley and Rodman & Renshaw presentations may be accessed via the “Investor Relations” section of Anika’s website at www.anikatherapeutics.com. Audio archives of the presentations also will be available on the website shortly after the conclusion of the conferences.

About Anika Therapeutics, Inc.
Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (ANIK) is a global, integrated orthopedic medicines company based in Bedford, Mass. Anika is committed to improving the lives of patients with degenerative orthopedic diseases and traumatic conditions by providing clinically meaningful therapeutic pain management solutions along the continuum of care, from palliative care to regenerative medicine. The Company has over two decades of expertise developing, manufacturing and commercializing more than 20 products, in markets across the globe, based on its proprietary hyaluronic acid (HA) technology. Anika’s orthopedic medicine portfolio is comprised of marketed (ORTHOVISC® and MONOVISC®) and pipeline (CINGAL® and HYALOFAST® in the U.S.) products to alleviate pain and restore joint function by replenishing depleted HA and aiding cartilage repair and regeneration. For more information about Anika, please visit www.anikatherapeutics.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160825005123/en/


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August 25, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

August 25, 2016

A new biomaterial can be used to study how and when stem cells sense the mechanics of their surrounding environment, found a team led by Robert Mauck, PhD, the Mary Black Ralston Professor for Education and Research in Orthopaedic Surgery, in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. With further development, this biomaterial could be used to control when immature stem cells differentiate into more specialized cells for regenerative and tissue-engineering-based therapies. Their study appears as an advance online publication in Nature Materials this month.

During early development in an embryo, the progenitor cells of many types of musculoskeletal tissue start out in close contact to each other and over time transition into an organized network of individual cells surrounded by an extracellular matrix (ECM). This matrix is made up of polysaccharides and fibrous proteins secreted by cells, providing structural and biochemical support to the cells within.

Throughout the course of embryo development, the ECM gets stiffer due to increased amounts of matrix material and crosslinking, eventually guiding stem cells to develop into more specialized cells across various tissue types. It also acts as a medium through which mechanical information is transmitted to cells (such as forces generated with such normal activities as walking or running).

Mauck and his colleagues developed a new biomaterial that allows scientists to systematically study how the cell-to-cell interactions present in early development combined with cell-ECM interactions to regulate stem-cell differentiation.

Cells can sense the inherent stiffness of their surrounding environment, which plays an important role in guiding stem-cell differentiation and generating the mechanical properties of tissues. During musculoskeletal development, a cell’s surrounding environment gradually transitions from one that is rich in cell-to-cell interactions to one that is dominated by cell-extracellular matrix interactions. However, how these stem cells balance their interpretation of seeing one another and seeing this increasingly stiff matrix are not well understood.

To examine the response of stem cells to different mechanical and material inputs, Mauck and colleagues looked at protein complexes that move to the nucleus in response to these signals, called YAP/TAZ proteins. Once in the nucleus, these proteins help guide the differentiation of stem cells to become the specialized cells that reside in various tissue types.

The team showed that this new biomaterial platform can enable scientists to study how the proteins involved in cell-cell contact (N-cadherins) are able to mask stem cell inputs from the accumulating ECM (fibronectins) across a range of tissue stiffness.

The cell-to-cell cues presented by the biomaterial reduced the ability of stem cells to pull on the ECM molecules, which in turn reduced the amount of YAP/TAZ molecules present in the nuclei of developing cells. This resulted in an altered interpretation of ECM stiffness by the cells and ultimately how these cells differentiated.

“We want to learn how we can trick these cells to think that they’re in a softer environment,” says Mauck. This could enable scientists and clinicians to keep stem cells in an uncommitted state longer during regenerative therapies, so as to increase cell number and keep them from committing to a certain, final fate, which may increase their physiological impact when implanted.

“Our long-term goal is to be able to intercept how a cell determines the stiffness of its surrounding environment,” said first author Brian D. Cosgrove, a doctoral student in the Mauck lab. “For example, we ideally want to put stem cells into stiff materials for cartilage repair that would withstand the forces present in everyday life, but then the stem cells preferentially turn into bone and other fibrous tissue types. We need to find new ways to trick them into thinking they’re in the correct environment so they will remain specialized cartilage cells.”

This fine control of what a precursor cell ultimately senses and the resulting tissue it produces may be important for treating disorders, such as out-of-place bone growth called heterotopic ossification.

Explore further: Development of ‘matrix’ material controlling differentiation of stem cells

More information: Brian D. Cosgrove et al. N-cadherin adhesive interactions modulate matrix mechanosensing and fate commitment of mesenchymal stem cells, Nature Materials (2016). DOI: 10.1038/nmat4725

Journal reference: Nature Materials

Provided by: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2016-08-stem-cell-perception-tissue-stiffness.html#jCp


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August 25, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Aug. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AlloSource, one of the nation’s largest providers of skin, bone and soft tissue allografts for use in surgical procedures and the world’s largest processor of cellular bone allografts, worked with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on microbial research that could help improve medical care for astronauts in space.

AlloSource collaborated with NASA and JPL scientists on a study to characterize the effects of zero gravity on antibiotic resistant genes in microorganisms taken from the International Space Station (ISS).  In this role, AlloSource assisted in describing antimicrobial capabilities of microbes isolated from the ISS.

The study, titled Targeted Amplification of Antibiotic Resistant Genes Associated with the International Space Station Environment, investigates the impact of zero gravity on microbes by looking at the change in resistance over time compared to similar strains on earth. The ongoing project will help NASA and JPL scientists and medical staff to more efficiently prescribe antibiotics on the ISS.

In addition to participating in the study, AlloSource continues to leverage technologies developed by NASA and JPL for assembly and launch operations of various Mars missions – specifically, rapid molecular microbial burden measurement and genetic inventory cataloging – to advance microbial research in tissue processing.

“This work with NASA and JPL on microbial research efforts aligns with our commitment to improve processes at AlloSource in order to fully maximize the gift of tissue donation,” said Dr. Peter Stevens, PhD, AlloSource Vice President of Development and Growth.

AlloSource will use the research on microbiological testing methods to look for new ways to rapidly detect the presence of microorganisms to benefit allograft availability for patients.

About AlloSource
AlloSource is one of the largest nonprofit cellular and tissue networks in the country, offering more than 200 types of precise cartilage, cellular, bone, skin and soft-tissue allografts to advance patient healing. For more than 20 years, AlloSource’s products have bridged the proven science of allografts with the advanced technology of cells, offering life-saving and life-enhancing possibilities in spine, sports medicine, foot and ankle, orthopedic, reconstructive, trauma and wound care procedures. As the world’s largest processor of cellular bone allografts, fresh cartilage tissue for joint repair and skin allografts to help heal severe burns, AlloSource delivers unparalleled expertise and service to its growing network of surgeons, partners, and the country’s most reputable organ procurement organizations. The company is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks and is headquartered in Centennial, CO. For more information, please visit allosource.org or our educational website, allograftpossibilities.org.

Media Contact:
Megan Duggan
AlloSource
720. 382. 2766
mduggan@allosource.org

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allosource-supports-nasa-and-jet-propulsion-laboratory-on-microbial-study-300318367.html

SOURCE AlloSource

 


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August 25, 2016 OrthoSpineNews

Aug 22, 2016 – Sean Williams

This year, we’ve witnessed all three major U.S. stock market indexes hit new all-time highs, which is nothing short of amazing considering the year began with the worst two-week tumble in recorded history and culminated with all three major U.S. indexes losing at least 10% of their value through mid-February from the beginning of the year.

But the long-term lesson is simple: The buy-and-hold investor usually triumphs. Since 1950, we’ve borne witness to 35 stocks market corrections of at least 10%, when rounded to the nearest integer, and in each and every instance, we’ve watched as stock market corrections have been buried by economic growth and bull market rallies. Smart investors understand that stock valuations have a tendency to rise over time, which is why they’re always on the lookout for high-quality stocks.

Could this be the first $1 trillion company?

Still, the one psychological mark that continues to be elusive for investors is the $1 trillion valuation mark. You could arguably say the race is on to reach this lofty ceiling, with expected contenders like Apple and Alphabet, the parent company of Google, leading the way. But, don’t ignore healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), which currently finds itself among the 10 largest companies in the world with a market valuation of $328 billion as of Friday. If the cards fall in J&J’s favor, it could become the first company to add 12 zeroes behind its valuation.

How, you ask? There are three factors working in its favor.

1. Product inelasticity

Economic cycles are inevitable in the U.S. economy. Although upswings tends to last a bit longer than downswings when we’re talking about bull and bear markets, the U.S. economy has entered a recession, on average, about every six years since 1929. Johnson & Johnson, though, provides products that are considered inelastic, meaning whether the economy is running on all cylinders or struggling, it tends to generate a consistent amount of growth and cash flow. In plainer terms, it’s pretty close to recession-proof.

Think about this from another angle. The consumer can’t choose when they’re going to get sick, or what type of illness they’ll develop. That alone would imply that two of J&J’s three operating segments — pharmaceuticals and medical devices — should do well in a robust or recessionary economy. J&J’s consumer product segment is the only area where some weakness could be observed, but even here we’re talking about consumer health products like Band-Aids that tend to be mostly resistant to downward pricing and demand pressures.

A number of companies with larger current market valuations than J&J are more susceptible to recessions, which could allow Johnson & Johnson to close this valuation gap over time.

 

READ THE REST HERE