CartiHeal
CartiHeal is an Israel-based medical device company that developed the Agili-C aragonite-based biphasic scaffold implant for knee cartilage and osteochondral defect repair, acquired by Smith & Nephew in November 2023 for $180 million upfront.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersKfar Saba, Israel
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CartiHeal does
CartiHeal is an Israel-based medical device company founded in 2009 that developed the Agili-C Cartilage Repair Implant, a single-stage, off-the-shelf biphasic scaffold derived from aragonite (naturally occurring calcium carbonate) for treatment of knee cartilage and osteochondral defects. The implant is the only FDA-approved device for this indication in patients with or without mild to moderate osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 0-3), and is supported by Level 1 randomized controlled trial evidence demonstrating sustained superior outcomes versus microfracture and debridement at 2-, 4-, and 5-year follow-up, including twice the pain reduction, significant KOOS improvements, and a lower risk of progression to total knee arthroplasty. The biomaterial is designed to be largely resorbed by the body within 18 months and eliminates the need for donor tissue.
The company's business model is a single-product hardware sales motion, with the Agili-C implant and associated surgical instruments sold through Smith+Nephew's orthopedic field sales force following Smith & Nephew's November 2023 acquisition of CartiHeal for $180 million upfront (up to $330 million total). CartiHeal's primary customer segment is orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians performing knee preservation procedures, with a secondary downstream segment of patients with ICRS grade III or above cartilage defects seeking to delay or avoid knee replacement. Reimbursement support is delivered through the MyKneeHealth Patient Access Program, and surgeon education is driven through medical education webinars, conference presence (AAOS, ISAKOS), podcasts, and peer-reviewed clinical publications.
CartiHeal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CartiHeal
- Legal name
- CartiHeal
- Website
- https://cartiheal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- CartiHeal is an Israel-based medical device company that developed the Agili-C aragonite-based biphasic scaffold implant for knee cartilage and osteochondral defect repair, acquired by Smith & Nephew in November 2023 for $180 million upfront.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CartiHeal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Orthopedic Medical Devices
- NAICS
- Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hip & Knee Reconstruction (Arthroplasty) (HLAKALAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Orthopedic Joint Reconstruction Implants (Hip/Knee/Shoulder/Elbow/Ankle) (HLAHAEAA), Sports Medicine & Soft Tissue Repair Implants (Anchors/Grafts/Meniscal Repair) (HLAHAEAF)
Keywords
Where CartiHeal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kfar Saba
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
CartiHeal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Medical Device Sales: CartiHeal's Agili-C implant is sold as a medical device through Smith+Nephew's distribution network to healthcare providers and surgeons performing knee cartilage repair procedures. Revenue is generated through product sales of the implant and associated surgical instruments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Implant and instrument pricing through Smith+Nephew sales representatives |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CartiHeal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CartiHeal develops and manufactures the Agili-C Cartilage Repair Implant, a single-stage, off-the-shelf aragonite-based biphasic scaffold for knee cartilage repair and subchondral bone restoration. The implant is FDA-approved for treatment of ICRS grade III or above knee joint surface lesions (1-7 cm² treatable area) in patients with or without mild to moderate osteoarthritis (KL 0-3). It is sold to orthopedic surgeons and healthcare facilities through Smith+Nephew's distribution network.
Product overview
CartiHeal offers a single unified product: the AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant. This is a single-stage, off-the-shelf aragonite-based biphasic scaffold designed for knee cartilage repair and subchondral bone restoration. The implant is indicated for patients with cartilage defects (ICRS grade III or above) with or without mild to moderate osteoarthritis (KL 0-3). Acquired by Smith & Nephew in November 2023, the product is now part of Smith & Nephew's sports medicine portfolio focused on biological healing and knee preservation procedures.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Agili-C: Cartilage repair implant for knee cartilage and osteochondral defects, with or without mild to moderate osteoarthritis (KL 0-3), comprised of a proprietary biomaterial that is porous and biocompatible.
Products and services
- CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant A single-stage, off-the-shelf biphasic scaffold implant derived from aragonite (naturally occurring calcium carbonate) for knee cartilage repair and subchondral bone restoration. Indicated for treatment of ICRS grade III or above knee joint surface lesion(s) with total treatable area of 1-7 cm², without severe osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 0-3). The biomaterial is porous, biocompatible, and largely resorbed by the body within 18 months. The only FDA-approved device for treatment of knee cartilage and osteochondral defects in patients with or without mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
Quantifiable outcome
- Twice the reduction in pain at 2-, 4-, and 5-year follow-up compared to microfracture or debridement
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CartiHeal
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
CartiHeal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CartiHeal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Smith & NephewcoreUK-based Smith & Nephew acquired Israel-based CartiHeal in November 2023 for an upfront payment of $180 million to enhance its osteoarthritis and joint repair portfolio with CartiHeal's biologic cartilage-regeneration technology (Agili-C implant). This acquisition integrated CartiHeal's products into Smith+Nephew's sports medicine portfolio.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
CartiHeal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vericel: Vericel markets MACI (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane), the leading FDA-approved autologous chondrocyte implantation therapy for knee cartilage repair. Directly comparable as a commercially available cartilage repair implant targeting orthopedic sports medicine surgeons.
- Arthrex: Privately held orthopedic device leader specializing in sports medicine and minimally invasive joint repair. Offers a broad portfolio of cartilage repair tools, OATS systems, and biologic augmentation products serving the same orthopedic surgeon customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Smith+Nephew: UK-based global medical device company and parent of CartiHeal following the 2023 acquisition. Operates a broad sports medicine and orthopedic portfolio (including REGENETEN, NOVOSTITCH, FASTFIX) that overlaps with cartilage and soft tissue repair procedures.
- Stryker: Large diversified orthopedic medtech company with a sports medicine division offering cartilage repair solutions and knee preservation products that compete for the same surgical procedure volumes and surgeon relationships.
- Zimmer Biomet: Major orthopedic device manufacturer with sports medicine and knee preservation offerings, including cartilage repair technologies and partial/total knee systems. Competes broadly for orthopedic surgeon procedural volume.
- Johnson & Johnson (DePuy Synthes Mitek Sports Medicine): Operates a leading sports medicine franchise via DePuy Synthes Mitek offering soft tissue repair, meniscal repair, and cartilage restoration products. Previous CartiHeal investor via J&J Robotics and Digital Solutions.
- Conmed: Diversified medical device company with a sports medicine portfolio offering cartilage repair, meniscal repair, and biologic solutions targeting the same orthopedic surgeon customer base.
- B. Braun (Aesculap Biologics): Global medical device company whose Aesculap division offers cartilage repair and orthobiologic products, including BST-CarGel for cartilage regeneration. Overlaps with CartiHeal in the cartilage repair biomaterial category.
Emerging players
- Anika Therapeutics: Specialty orthopedic and regenerative medicine company developing hyaluronic acid-based cartilage preservation therapies (e.g., HYALOFAST, CINGAL). Comparable as a developer of cartilage regeneration biomaterials targeting knee preservation.
- Bioventus: Specialty orthobiologics company offering cartilage repair and joint preservation therapies (including the previously invested CartiHeal asset). Comparable as a developer of biologic and regenerative solutions for musculoskeletal conditions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CartiHeal social profiles
Digital presenceCartiHeal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CartiHeal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
CartiHeal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CartiHeal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CartiHeal
What does CartiHeal do?
CartiHeal develops and manufactures the Agili-C Cartilage Repair Implant, a single-stage, off-the-shelf aragonite-based biphasic scaffold for knee cartilage repair and subchondral bone restoration. The implant is FDA-approved for treatment of ICRS grade III or above knee joint surface lesions (1-7 cm² treatable area) in patients with or without mild to moderate osteoarthritis (KL 0-3). It is sold to orthopedic surgeons and healthcare facilities through Smith+Nephew's distribution network.
Is CartiHeal a public or private company?
CartiHeal is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was CartiHeal founded?
CartiHeal was founded in 2009. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is CartiHeal based?
CartiHeal is headquartered in Kfar Saba, Israel, in the Middle East region.
How does CartiHeal make money?
One revenue line is on record: medical Device Sales.
Who are CartiHeal's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vericel and Arthrex. Broad incumbents are Smith+Nephew, Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Johnson & Johnson (DePuy Synthes Mitek Sports Medicine), Conmed and B. Braun (Aesculap Biologics). Emerging players are Anika Therapeutics and Bioventus.
Does CartiHeal have an API?
No public API is recorded for CartiHeal.
What industry is CartiHeal in?
CartiHeal's product category is Orthopedic Medical Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKALAH, Hip & Knee Reconstruction (Arthroplasty), with a secondary code of HLAHAEAA, Orthopedic Joint Reconstruction Implants (Hip/Knee/Shoulder/Elbow/Ankle). Its NAICS code is 339113 and its SIC code is 3842.