Why Zimmer Biomet Is Taking a Disciplined Approach to Launching Its Robot

February 4, 2019 Business, Medical Devices, Orthopedics, Robotics, Zimmer Biomet

As Zimmer Biomet prepares to enter a surging robotics market, CEO Bryan Hanson said the company wants to make sure the company does it right.

Surgical robotics is expected to be hotter than ever in 2019, particularly on the orthopedics side, and Zimmer Biomet is sliding into the market just in time. The Warsaw, IN-based company received clearance for the Rosa Knee System to be used in robotically-assisted total knee replacement procedures in January.

Naturally, during the company’s earnings call Friday, analysts were eager to hear the company’s plans for launching the new system.

“We’re going to do a limited launch out of the gate,” Zimmer Biomet CEO Bryan Hanson said during the call, as transcribed by Seeking Alpha. “We want to be very disciplined in our approach to launching a new robotic system to make sure that we do it right. We have the right education. We have the right service levels. And we will do that limited launch for, let’s call it six months. Post that limited launch is when we move into full launch. And that’s when the organization gets unleashed and we utilize that technology in that full launch status.”

The company’s chief competitor, Stryker, took a similar approach with its Mako Total Knee System, and the strategy has proven to be successful. FDA approved the company’s Triathlon Total Knee System for the Mako robot in August 2015, but Stryker made the market wait more than a year for the full commercial launch. Stryker wanted to release the product at a measured pace in an effort to maximize its chance of success. Judging by Stryker’s most recent earnings report, Mako was definitely worth the wait.

So it stands to reason that Zimmer Biomet will also benefit from taking a conservative approach to the market.

By Amanda Pedersen | MD+DI

Image Credit: Zimmer Biomet

READ MORE

About Peter Coffaro 487 Articles

A growth-driven and strategic executive, Peter Coffaro commands more than 25 years of progressive management success within the medical device industry. Recognized by the World Journal of Orthopedics, Exponential Healthtech, and MedReps.com as one of the top medical sales influencers in the industry; he has 10 years of combined sales management experience and has held positions as a Director, General Manager, Distributor, and Vice President. Peter has worked for some of the top orthopedic companies in the world - Zimmer, DePuy, and Stryker. He is also the founder of OrthoFeed: a popular blog that covers digital orthopedic news and emerging medical technologies. Peter is a three-time Hall of Fame award winner at Johnson and Johnson and has an extensive background in organizational development, business development, sales management, digital marketing, and professional education. Peter holds a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Northern Illinois University.