JRI Orthopaedics continues international expansion with Brazilian market breakthrough

JRI Orthopaedics continues international expansion with Brazilian market breakthrough

JRI Orthopaedics has continued its international expansion by breaking into the Brazilian market with its award-winning VAIOS shoulder replacement system.

After securing regulatory approval, the Sheffield-based company launched VAIOS at the Brazilian Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.

The VAIOS system was developed by JRI Orthopaedics working with biomechanical engineers at Newcastle University and orthopaedic surgeon Angus Wallace from Nottingham. Launched six years ago, VAIOS won the award for best new mechanical product at the British Engineering Excellence Awards.

Product manager John Suggitt said: “I think VAIOS demonstrates the best of British design and manufacture and shows what can be achieved by a company working with leading academic and clinical partners to deliver effective solutions to improve outcomes for patients requiring shoulder replacement surgery.

“As part of our plans for further expansion into major international markets, we are also aiming to launch VAIOS in the US early next year.”

Last year, the company secured a contract to produce hip replacement implants in its Sheffield manufacturing facility for a Beijing-based medical company to sell into the Chinese market. It is also hoping to have its own hip replacement products registered for sale in China this year and has a distribution deal lined up with its Chinese partner.