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Amedica

MaterialsSalt Lake City, Utah, USAFounded 1996· One of 961 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

Develops and manufactures medical-grade silicon nitride ceramic implants for spinal and orthopedic applications using proprietary additive manufacturing processes like robocasting, offering superior bone fusion, antibacterial properties, and mechanical strength compared to traditional materials like PEEK and titanium.

CEO / Founder
Daniel Chon
Team Size
51-200
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$74.2M
Latest Round
Strategic Investment
Key Investors
Creation Capital; Vestal Venture Capital; Hercules Technology Growth Capital; MG Partners II; Public Investors

Technology & Products

Key Products

Silicon Nitride implants, NITRO Interbody Fusion Cage System, MONET™ Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion System, MONDRIAN™ ALIF System

Technological Advantage

VERIFIED: Patented silicon nitride formulation achieves 2-6x better osseointegration and up to 30x less bacterial adhesion than PEEK/titanium, with FDA 510(k) clearance since 2006. DEFENSIBLE: Protected by patents and exclusive manufacturing know-how.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces infection rates by up to 30x through antibacterial silicon nitride properties, increases bone formation by 2-3x versus PEEK/titanium for faster patient recovery, and enables custom implant designs via 3D printing to improve surgical outcomes and reduce inventory costs.

How They Differentiate

3x faster bone fusion than PEEK implants, 30x lower bacterial adhesion versus titanium, and exclusive FDA-cleared silicon nitride technology enabling custom 3D printed designs unavailable from mass-produced competitors.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Spine surgeons, hospitals, orthopedic device OEMs, medical distributors

Industry Verticals

Medical Devices; Orthopedics; Spine Surgery

Competitors

PEEK implant manufacturers; Titanium implant manufacturers; Other ceramic implant developers

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Employee count grew 4% last year; secured FDA 510(k) for MONDRIAN ALIF Cage System in 2023; expanded global distribution to Taiwan.

Major Milestones

FDA 510(k) clearance for first load-bearing ceramic spinal device (2006); First to 3D print silicon nitride for medical applications (2016); $10M acquisition of spine assets by CTL Medical (2023); Corporate name change to SINTX Technologies (2018)

Notable Customers

U.S. Department of Defense

https://www.amedica.com

Why this company matters

Amedica occupies a niche position as the only company with FDA clearance to manufacture and distribute silicon nitride implants for spinal and orthopedic applications. Its proprietary robocasting additive manufacturing process enables complex ceramic geometries that cannot be produced by traditional machining or molding, addressing a gap in custom implant design for surgeons seeking alternatives to PEEK and titanium.

The core technology is a patented silicon nitride formulation that achieves 2–6x better osseointegration and up to 30x less bacterial adhesion compared to conventional implant materials. Key products include the NITRO Interbody Fusion Cage System, the MONET Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion System, and the MONDRIAN ALIF System, all produced via binder jetting and material extrusion-based direct ink writing (MEX-DIW).

Target customers include spine surgeons, hospitals, orthopedic device OEMs, and medical distributors. The U.S. Department of Defense is a notable customer. Amedica has established partnerships with Kyocera for ceramic manufacturing, BoTEC Medical for private label supply, Spinal Kinetics under an OEM agreement, and Orthopaedic Synergy through a joint venture.

Amedica's strategic moat rests on exclusive FDA 510(k) clearance for load-bearing silicon nitride spinal devices dating to 2006, combined with proprietary robocasting know-how and a patent portfolio. However, its market share remains limited relative to entrenched PEEK and titanium implant incumbents. The 2023 acquisition of spine assets by CTL Medical and the corporate name change to SINTX Technologies signal ongoing restructuring, raising questions about long-term commercial scalability.