moving spine ag

What moving spine ag does

Moving Spine AG is a privately held Swiss medical device company founded in 2023 as a spin-off of Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, and the University of Zurich, headquartered at Forchstrasse 340 in Zurich. The company is a portfolio company of Balgrist Beteiligungs AG and is officially recognized as a UZH Startup, with leadership embedded in the Balgrist academic ecosystem — Founder/Chairman Prof. Mazda Farshad (Medical Director of Balgrist) and Co-founder/CTO Jonas Widmer (head of the Spine Biomechanics Group at Balgrist, ETH Zurich doctorate in spinal biomechanics), supported by CEO Elmar Zurbriggen, who brings 20+ years of spine and orthopedics experience including senior roles at J&J DePuy Synthes.

The company's single core offering is Vertebropexy (VPX), a novel surgical technique for dynamic spinal stabilization based on ligamentous reinforcement of the spinal segment using allograft tendons and textiles. VPX delivers semi-rigid fixation that preserves spinal motion as an alternative or adjunct to spinal fusion, and the company extends this with the VPX Tension Band — a percutaneous, minimally invasive module that can reportedly be completed in under five minutes. Technology development is anchored in published biomechanical studies and a documented clinical case (76-year-old male with symptomatic L4/5 spondylolisthesis grade I and spinal canal stenosis) sourced from the University Spine Center Zurich.

Commercially, Moving Spine generates revenue from the sale of Vertebropexy implants and surgical instruments, but the go-to-market is event-driven and surgeon-education-led: hands-on labs at OR-X Zurich (September 12, 2025), Pacific American Life Science Learning Center Los Angeles (April 10, 2025), and a Balgrist Symposium (March 14, 2025), plus booth presence at SMISS 2025, Global Spine Congress 2026 (Istanbul, booth #66), and Spine Summit 2026 (Phoenix, booth #219). Distribution is via direct surgeon engagement rather than third-party sales channels; pricing is not publicly disclosed and no revenue, funding round, or headcount figures are available in the source data, consistent with a pre-commercial stage of commercialization.

Name

moving spine ag

Legal name

Moving Spine AG

Website

https://movingspine.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Moving Spine AG is a Zurich-based medtech spin-off of Balgrist University Hospital and the University of Zurich developing Vertebropexy (VPX), a minimally invasive, motion-preserving spinal stabilization technique and its associated implants and instruments, sold to spine surgeons and teaching hospitals as an alternative to spinal fusion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spinal Implants and Surgical Instruments

NAICS

Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Spine Implants & Motion Preservation (Fusion/Disc/Interspinous) (HLAHAEAC)

Keywords

• Spinal implants
• Motion-preserving surgery
• Vertebropexy technique
• Spine medical devices
• Minimally invasive spine surgery

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vertebropexy Implants and Instruments: Moving Spine AG generates revenue through the sale of specialized implants and instruments required for the Vertebropexy surgical procedure. The company develops and commercializes the surgical implants, instruments, and associated products needed to perform the VPX technique.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Moving Spine AG develops and commercializes the Vertebropexy (VPX) surgical technique and the associated specialized spinal implants and surgical instruments. The VPX technique provides semi-rigid, motion-preserving spinal stabilization using ligamentous reinforcement with allograft tendons and textiles, positioned as an alternative to traditional spinal fusion for treating degenerative spinal conditions such as spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis.

Product overview

Moving Spine AG is a medical technology company that has developed a novel treatment category called Vertebropexy (VPX) — a dynamic spinal stabilization technique that offers an alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery. The company's core offering consists of the VPX surgical technique, the VPX Tension Band module, and associated implants and instruments. VPX preserves spinal motion through semi-rigid fixation using ligamentous reinforcement, while the VPX Tension Band provides a percutaneous, minimally invasive stabilization solution that can be completed in under five minutes. The company operates from Zurich, Switzerland as a spin-off of Balgrist University Hospital and the University of Zürich.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vertebropexy (VPX): A novel surgical technique for dynamic spinal stabilization based on ligamentous reinforcement of the spinal segment.

Products and services

• Vertebropexy (VPX) Surgical Technique A novel surgical technique for dynamic spinal stabilization based on ligamentous reinforcement of the spinal segment. VPX offers semi-rigid fixation that preserves spinal motion while providing stability, serving as an alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery for spine surgeons treating patients with degenerative spinal conditions.
• Spinal Implants and Surgical Instruments Innovative implants and surgical instruments developed by Moving Spine AG to support the Vertebropexy surgical technique. The hardware is designed for novel, less invasive spinal treatments intended to enable faster patient recovery, and is sold to hospitals and spine centers performing VPX procedures.

Quantifiable outcome

• VPX procedure can be completed in under 5 minutes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 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

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• OR-X (Objet Repository and Explorer) ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025VPX Zurich Lab conducted at OR-X in Zurich on September 12, 2025, where the company worked with leading surgeons to test and refine VPX technology, gathering insights that move the concept closer to clinical reality.
• Pacific American Life Science Learning CenterregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2025VPX L.A. Lab hosted at the Pacific American Life Science Learning Center in Los Angeles on April 10, 2025, to refine Vertebropexy technique with leading surgeons.
• University of Zurich / UZH InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoving Spine AG is officially recognized as a University of Zürich Startup, operating in full compliance with University of Zurich regulations. The company is listed on UZH Innovation's stories page documenting UZH spinoffs and startups.
• Balgrist University Hospital / University Spine Center ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe company emerged from clinical research at Balgrist University Hospital. Prof. Mazda Farshad, Medical Director of Balgrist University Hospital, serves as Founder and Chairman of the Board. PD Dr. Jonas Widmer heads the Spine Biomechanics Group at Balgrist and serves as Co-Founder and CTO.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Globus Medical: One of the largest spine implant and instrumentation companies globally, offering fusion, motion-preservation, and MIS technologies. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating across the same spine surgery market Moving Spine AG targets.
• Orthofix: Spine and orthopedics company offering fusion, biologics, and motion-preservation solutions including the M6-C cervical disc. Comparable as a broad incumbent in spine that overlaps with VPX's motion-preservation value proposition.
• Aesculap Implant Systems (B. Braun): Spine division of B. Braun offering a broad range of spinal implants and instruments including motion-preservation options. Comparable as a broad incumbent targeting spine surgeons and hospitals with overlapping product categories.
• ZimVie: Spine and dental implants company offering fusion and motion-preservation products. Comparable as a mid-sized incumbent focused on spine surgery, competing in the same surgical categories Moving Spine AG addresses.
• Medtronic Spine: Spine division of Medtronic, the global leader in spinal implants including fusion, cervical disc replacement, and enabling technologies. Comparable as a dominant incumbent whose fusion and motion-preservation offerings shape the market VPX is entering.
• Stryker Spine: Stryker's spine business offers a broad portfolio of cervical and thoracolumbar implants and MIS solutions. Comparable as a diversified incumbent serving the same spine surgeon customer base Moving Spine AG is targeting with VPX.

Direct peers

• Centinel Spine: Specialist in motion-preserving spinal technologies, including the prodisc total disc replacement portfolio. Directly comparable to Moving Spine AG as a focused motion-preservation player targeting spine surgeons seeking fusion alternatives.
• Spineart: Privately held spine company developing a portfolio of cervical and lumbar implants, including MIS and motion-preservation solutions. Comparable to Moving Spine AG as a focused spine specialist commercializing novel implant systems.

Emerging players

• Premia Spine: Developer of motion-preserving spinal technologies such as the TOPS system for lumbar decompression with dynamic stabilization. Closely comparable to Moving Spine AG as a focused emerging player in motion-preserving spine.
• ATEC Spine: Spine-focused company with a portfolio of MIS and enabling technology products targeting deformity, degenerative, and motion-preservation procedures. Comparable to Moving Spine AG as a spine-focused emerging player addressing similar surgeon and hospital customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/moving-spine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 moving spine ag