DSM Biomedical (Berkeley, CA) is providing orthopaedic manufacturers with its PTG polymers, which are suitable for chronic implant applications. Multiyear licensing agreements will allow DSM to work with companies throughout various phases of development, prototyping, manufacturing, and processing of product commercialization. “Customers are either using or evaluating DSM PTG polymers for use in arthroplasty (artificial hip, knee, extremity joints, etc.), spinal (dynamic stabilization and total disk replacement), and even focal defect repair for cartilage,” says Rob Evans, vice president of global marketing and sales at DSM. Polymers are selected based on finding a balance between physical and mechanical performance and biostability. “Physical [and] mechanical performance includes a broad range of aspects from compressive fatigue required in a spinal disk to wear behavior expected for an articulating surface in a total or partial joint replacement,” says Evans.