Good morning Lane, thank you for taking some time to talk with us this morning. If you wouldn’t mind introducing yourself to our readers and telling us a bit about your background to get started…
Sure thing, Mason. I truly appreciate the opportunity to share our K2M story with you. I have spent my entire career in the spinal devices space, beginning with a field-based role in Northern Virginia carrying primarily Stryker products. I was also exposed to several Globus products and some osteobiologics. Being in the operating room each day gave me a strong foundation in the spine industry. One that I keep with me today.
In January 2004, K2M was founded with a vision of improving the lives of people across the world with spinal deformities. I’ve been with the company ever since and am grateful for the work we do each day. 
Thanks for that background, Lane. What is your biggest motivator for coming into work every day at K2M?
When you are with a company that changes lives—particularly for children suffering from scoliosis—seeing the positive impact of our work is all that matters. The societal value we create has resulted in a corporate culture second to none. It’s something you feel when you walk through the door. We hear this all the time from surgeons and others who visit us from around the world.
Our commitment to social good begins in Loudoun County, VA—our global headquarters—as well as at a national and global level. One example is a program called Straight 2 Swimming. Just imagine children with scoliosis who never could swim because they’re embarrassed to take off their shirts. We help them build confidence; it’s a huge motivator for me. Another example is the FOCOS Hospital we helped found in Ghana. The fact that our products are used to treat the world’s most challenging deformity cases inspires us each day.
Wow, that is incredible, Lane. Thank you for sharing that with us. Furthermore, can you give us an overview of the various 3D Solutions K2M offers and how you first got into the space?
Absolutely. K2M is leading the way in the 3D printing of spinal devices. But this work started well before 3D printing became popular. It came about because we were seeking to overcome a challenge.
Because our products are used in 40 different countries around the world, we have gained valuable insights from surgeons on what tools they need to improve outcomes in patients. Years ago, we began hearing people talking about how there should be a better alternative to PEEK implants. So, we partnered with a team of global key opinion leaders to create the Alternative Materials Design Team. The design input from this team led us to solutions that simply couldn’t be manufactured traditionally. It required innovation.
To improve upon PEEK technology, we partnered with 3D Systems—the world’s foremost leader in 3D printing for medical purposes. Today, we have a world-class portfolio of 3D-printed devices that address a diverse range of degenerative, complex spine, and MIS procedures. All of which feature our innovative Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology™, which uses an advanced 3D-printing method to create structures that were once considered impossible with traditional manufacturing. It allows us to develop devices with a porosity and surface roughness that pre-clinical data have associated with bone growth activity, as well as a decreased radiographic signature. All of which help improve outcomes in patients undergoing spine surgery.
Having said that, what is your vision for where the company goes from here?
Our vision is to be the leader in complex spine and minimally invasive solutions. We have had consistently strong success in these areas, and today, patients and physicians are asking us to help in the other areas of treatment. Therefore, we are introducing new technologies—such as our Balance ACS® (BACS) platform—to help surgeons and patients in all phases of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient care. Balance ACS is game-changing, as it uses a 360-degree approach to the axial, coronal and sagittal planes so surgeons can take a more holistic and comprehensive approach to treatment. It also includes a suite of data management software that lets surgeons collect and analyze patient data to improve treatment.
As we move forward, we will continually find ways to drive costs down for the patient, make practices more intuitive for surgeons, ensure faster recovery time, and much more.
We are really looking forward to seeing everything that lies ahead for K2M. Can you leave us with some closing remarks or any predictions about the spine industry as a whole?
There remains a significant opportunity for innovation in the spinal devices space. K2M is at the forefront of inventing solutions for the full continuum of care, not just limited to implants and instrumentation. The opportunity for innovation remains robust; we believe that K2M is well-positioned to position to continue leading.
Well Lane we really appreciate you taking the time to chat with us today. It was great to get some insights into the K2M story as well as what’s on the horizon. We wish you all the best moving forward.
Thanks Mason, likewise. We really appreciate the opportunity. Take care.