CartiHeal

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.

Name

CartiHeal

Legal name

CartiHeal

Website

https://cartiheal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

51–100 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

Product category

Orthopedic Medical Devices

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAKALAH

Hip & Knee Reconstruction (Arthroplasty)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

SECONDARYHLAHAEAA

Orthopedic Joint Reconstruction Implants (Hip/Knee/Shoulder/Elbow/Ankle)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Implants & Prosthetics (Orthopedic/Neuro/Spine/Dental)

SECONDARYHLAHAEAF

Sports Medicine & Soft Tissue Repair Implants (Anchors/Grafts/Meniscal Repair)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Implants & Prosthetics (Orthopedic/Neuro/Spine/Dental)

Keywords

• Cartilage repair implant
• Orthopedic medical devices
• Osteochondral scaffold
• Knee preservation surgery
• Biologic joint restoration

Headquarters

HQ city

Kfar Saba

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Smith & NephewcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 November 2023UK-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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cartiheal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CartiHeal