A rising and more active aging population, and a growing incidence of osteoporosis fractures and back pain – as well as other spine-related issues – are paving the way for companies to bring innovative devices into the hands of orthopedic and spinal surgeons in Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK and France. In this feature, we take a closer look at the prevailing surgical approaches and techniques for selected fracture fixation, spinal surgery procedures, joint replacement, and arthroscopy procedures in each of the five major EU countries, as outlined in a new Meddevicetracker report. We also take a deep dive into the various growth opportunities of select procedures in each EU market and discuss trends.

The week's round-up includes a new CEO at Synthorx Inc., new sales executives at Aerie Pharmaceuticals and board appointments at BTG, Pertinax Pharma, Realm Therapeutics, Breath Therapeutics, iOnctura, NBE Therapeutics and Inflazome.

Among the medtech companies who have released their first-quarter 2017 sales and earnings, Johnson & Johnson and Merit Medical Systems reported progress in their long-term plans to reshape their medical device businesses, while Abbott and Zimmer Biomet received some bad news in the quarter. Smith & Nephew shows signs of a turnaround, and perennial "winner" Edwards Lifesciences provided updates on some important developments in their flagship transcatheter valve business.

The US Department of Justice is behind the Oct. 19 subpoena, which asks for more information and documents related to Merit’s marketing and promotional practices.