A Revolutionary Approach to Treating Degenerative Disc Disease: Merge Medical Podcast with DiscGenics

Merge Medical podcast hosts Drs. Jeff Brown and Jeff Cole recently interviewed the founders of DiscGenics about the Company’s innovative approach to treating degenerative disc disease with a novel cell therapy known as IDCT (injectable Discogenic Cell therapy). If approved, IDCT has the potential to revolutionize the treatment landscape for millions of patients with lumbar DDD. This pioneering solution uses cells derived from donated spinal discs to halt the progression of DDD and regenerate the disc from the inside-out, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgery.

Podcast Highlights:

  • Hear about the Company’s transition from an early-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company to a late-stage company pursuing a Biologic License Approval (BLA).

  • Learn more about DiscGenics’s Phase I/II clinical trial results and its upcoming pivotal Phase III clinical program.

  • Take an in-depth look into DiscGenics’s proprietary multi-step cell culture technique, which begins with live cells derived from donated adult human spinal disc tissue, expands, and enriches them to enhance their potency.

  • Explore the potential of IDCT to provide a regenerative solution to millions of patients suffering from DDD, and get a glimpse into DiscGgenics’s planned direct-to-patient sales and marketing approach.

Featured Panelists:

Dr. Jeff Brown: Dr. Brown is an anesthesiologist, physician entrepreneur, and finance guru. He is co-founder of Merge Medical and serves as an advisor for 2 health-related startups. More about Dr. Jeff Brown

Dr. Jeff Cole: Dr. Cole is a well-published orthopedic hand surgeon as well as tech builder and entrepreneur. He is the creator of Merge Medical, co-founded and serves as Managing Director at DSScorp. More about Dr. Jeff Cole

Flagg Flanagan: Holding the dual roles of CEO & Chairman at DiscGenics, Mr. Flanagan brings his entrepreneurial spirit, executive acumen, and advisory expertise to the table. With a rich experience spanning over three decades in the surgical device and biopharmaceutical industries, Flagg's leadership continues to drive DiscGenics forward.

Kevin T. Foley, M.D.: As a practicing Neurosurgeon and dynamic entrepreneur, Dr. Foley has been instrumental in the creation of numerous surgical devices that have transformed the field of minimally invasive spine surgery. He holds the position of Chairman at Semmes Murphey Clinic and is a tenured Professor of Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, & Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee. In addition, he serves DiscGenics as the Chief Medical Officer and a board member, contributing his vast knowledge and expertise.

Bob Wynalek: The Chief Operating Officer, Chief Commercialization Officer, and Board Director at DiscGenics, Mr. Wynalek is a seasoned professional and entrepreneur in the medical device and biopharma sectors. With 35 years of experience within the Regenerative Medicine, Spine, Neurosurgical, and Orthopedic markets, Bob's insights and leadership are invaluable to the DiscGenics team.

About Merge Medical:

Merge Medical is a grassroots non-profit community of physicians and healthcare providers where the interests, needs and talents of the members are merged within an ecosystem of education, access and opportunity. The value proposition is individual and community involvement within a system of wealth creation, innovation support, and the business of medicine.