The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded a $5.5 million grant to a University of California Irvine professor to study the use of stem cells to treat chronic cervical spinal cord injury.

Over the past five years, the U.S. has seen a significant spike in the number of clinics advertising stem cell treatments, which claim to treat a range of orthopedic, neurological and autoimmune conditions, among others.

Theradaptive's Osteo-Adapt SP spinal fusion implant received the FDA's breakthrough medical device designation, according to a Nov. 19 news release.

Pacira Biosciences completed its acquisition of Flexion Therapeutics, according to a Nov. 19 news release.

Orthobiologics company Bioventus has signed a lease agreement to double its current operations and manufacturing space in Cordova, Tenn.

A spine biologics company's $100 million investment deal and six more key updates in regenerative medicine in the last two months:

Houston-based FibroBiologics, a regenerative medicine company developing treatments for chronic disease using fibroblast cells, signed an agreement with a private investment group that will provide the company with up to $100 million over the next three years.

The number of businesses and medical clinics advertising stem cell-based therapies has skyrocketed in the U.S. over the past five years, according to a study published in Cell Stem Cell Nov. 4. 

Over the past few decades, rates of spinal fusions have steadily risen. However, pseudarthrosis rates— an indicator of unsuccessful spinal fusion — have not improved enough in the past 20 years to reduce the overall non-unions. With a growing number of spinal fusions, a constant pseudarthrosis rate means that each year there are more non-unions, many of which require revision surgery.

Pacira Biosciences reported an uptick in total sales and its Exparel injectable analgesic during the third quarter.

Pacira Biosciences reached a milestone with its patent for the Exparel injectable analgesic, the company said Nov. 2.

Stockholders approved Bioventus' planned acquisition of Misonix.

Medtronic will no longer distribute Aziyo Biologics' cellular bone matrix products.

Goldman Sachs listed DiscGenics CEO Flagg Flanagan as one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2021, according to an Oct. 18 news release.

Bone Therapeutics appointed a five-person scientific advisory board for guidance on developing induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stromal cell, the company said Oct. 12.

Pacira BioSciences signed an agreement to acquire Flexion Therapeutics, according to an Oct. 11 news release.

Virginia Beach, Va.-based LifeNet Health launched the ViviGen minimally invasive surgery delivery system.

Regenerative medicine remains a hot topic among spine and orthopedic surgeons. From stem cell treatments to bone grafts, biologic technology is growing, and many surgeons are optimistic.

The regenerative medicine market is expected to hit $172.15 billion by 2030, according to market research from Next Move Strategy Consulting.

Here are seven updates in orthopedic biologics in the last 90 days: