OrthoSon

About OrthoSon

OrthoSon is a clinical-stage medical device company developing minimally invasive treatments for low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD). Founded in 2015 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, the company is headquartered at The Oxford Science Park in the UK. The company was co-founded by Professor Constantin Coussios, the lead inventor of the core technology, who serves as Chief Technology Officer. Professor Coussios is the Director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford and has founded other medical device companies, including Organox and OxSonics. The company is led by CEO Rich Simmonds, who joined in 2018.

OrthoSon's primary product is a proprietary injectable bio-structural gel designed as a micro-invasive alternative to highly invasive procedures like spinal fusion or disc replacement. The treatment involves injecting the low-viscosity polymer into the degenerated disc, where it flows into fissures before setting in-situ to form a supportive, hydrated structure. This patented gel is designed to mimic the natural tissue of the disc's nucleus, restoring mechanical function and disc height to provide immediate pain relief while creating an environment that supports the body's healing process. The procedure is intended to take less than 30 minutes with a short recovery time. In February 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Device Designation to the Bio-Structural Gel, which is expected to expedite its regulatory review process.

The company operates in the spinal device market, targeting a patient population for whom conventional treatments are often ineffective or overly invasive. Its business model focuses on the development and eventual commercialization of its medical devices pending clinical trials and regulatory approvals. OrthoSon has secured over $15 million in funding through several rounds, including a Series A round of £8.9 million ($11M) in 2022 and grants from Innovate UK. Key investors include Big Pi Ventures, Yonghua Capital, Oxford Technology, and Oxford Investment Consultants. The company is preparing for Phase I trials in the U.S. and subsequent global clinical trials.