Innovation for mobility solutions: the KneeReviver
ArthroSave from Culemborg, Gelderland, has developed the KneeReviver, an innovative treatment for people with knee osteoarthritis. It helps them stay active longer using their own knee joint, postponing the need for a prosthesis. Surgeons and patients are enthusiastic. The challenge now is to convince health insurers to reimburse this technique, known as ‘knee distraction’. Oost NL supports ArthroSave through this phase with an investment.
Which innovation has ArthroSave brought to the market?
Karianne Lindenhovius, CEO of ArthroSave BV: “In 2016, as a spin-off from UMC Utrecht, we introduced the KneeReviver and made knee distraction possible. Knee distraction is a treatment for knee osteoarthritis in patients under the age of 65. The KneeReviver gently pulls the worn joint apart, creating space for the cartilage to recover. The treatment lasts six weeks and initiates the biological repair of the cartilage. That recovery process continues for years. With this method, the need for a knee prosthesis can be postponed for nine years or even longer.”
Why is delaying a knee replacement important?
Lindenhovius: “In 2018, over 25,000 patients in the Netherlands received a total knee replacement due to knee osteoarthritis. Of these, approximately 40 percent were younger than 65. Because a knee prosthesis at that age has a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, there is a high likelihood that this group will eventually require a second prosthesis. This second one often has a less favorable outcome than the first, and after that, no further treatment is possible: due to the nature of the procedure, a knee prosthesis can only be placed twice at most. This leaves a growing group of still very active people at a relatively young age with reduced mobility. With the KneeReviver, we help people remain independent and pain-free for longer.”
Thomas Hensel, Team Manager Health at Oost NL: “ArthroSave’s innovation improves health, reduces costs, and offers a solution for people currently on the waiting list.”
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Karianne Lindenhovius - CEO ArthroSave BV
Op welke manier helpt Oost NL ArthroSave?
Lindenhovius: ‘Onze grootste uitdaging is momenteel ervoor te zorgen dat patiënten ons product vergoed krijgen via zorgverzekeraars. Patiënten en chirurgen wereldwijd zijn enthousiast en in eigen land zijn inmiddels 250 patiënten succesvol behandeld. Zorgverzekeraars willen echter meer data. Met behulp van de subsidieregeling Veelbelovende zorg van Zorginstituut en ZonMw, in opdracht van het ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport, zijn we een onderzoek gestart met 1.200 patiënten: de helft krijgt een knieprothese, de andere helft een kniedistractie. Met deze studie hopen we veel data te verkrijgen – maar het kost tijd.’
Hensel: ‘Niet alleen het ministerie, maar ook Oost NL ziet potentie voor dit Nederlandse product, dat uniek is in de wereld. Daarom hebben wij vanuit het Innovatie- en Energiefonds Gelderland in ArthroSave geïnvesteerd. Zo helpen wij het bedrijf door de fase heen waarin er nog weinig afname is en verlagen we bovendien de drempel voor andere investeerders.’
In what way does Oost NL support ArthroSave?
Lindenhovius: “Our biggest challenge at the moment is ensuring that patients can get our product reimbursed by health insurers. Patients and surgeons around the world are enthusiastic, and in the Netherlands, 250 patients have already been successfully treated. However, insurers want more data. With support from the 'Promising Care' subsidy scheme by the National Health Care Institute and ZonMw, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, we’ve started a study involving 1,200 patients: half will receive a knee prosthesis, the other half will undergo knee distraction. We hope to gather a large amount of data with this study – but it takes time.”
Hensel: “Not only the ministry, but also Oost NL sees the potential of this Dutch product, which is one of a kind in the world. That’s why we’ve invested in ArthroSave through the Innovation and Energy Fund Gelderland. In doing so, we help the company through the phase where demand is still limited, and we also lower the threshold for other investors.”
Visit the ArthroSave website.