Spinal Research Stanmore to focus on international spine research and studies 

STANMORE, London – The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), the largest musculoskeletal orthopedic hospital in the UK and a leader in the field of orthopedics and spine, and SpineMark Corporation, a US-based developer of spine centers of excellence and spine research organizations, have announced a joint agreement to develop a spine research unit within RNOH called Spinal Research Stanmore (SRS). Under the agreement, RNOH will provide administrative support and clinicians to meet the demands of industry and internal study goals, including recruiting patients and investigators. RNOH and SpineMark will oversee clinical trials and management of the unit. SpineMark will provide the development, marketing, governance, contracting, oversight, physician peer mentoring — provided by its medical advisory board OrbiSpine — and support for SRS, including any necessary training for new spine-dedicated clinical research coordinators and staff associated with the unit. The short-term SRS objectives include significant research growth in the unit by supporting sponsor-initiated clinical and post-market studies, as well as the creation of SRS retrospective and prospective study groups to evaluate key trends, techniques, outcomes and diagnostic data from RNOH patients. “RNOH’s goal is to formalize and grow its spinal research profile and accomplishments, and our partnership with SpineMark will help us advance these objectives,” says Rob Hurd, CEO of RNOH. “We are looking forward to seeing the unit develop and expand throughout the year.” “RNOH has demonstrated an impressive commitment to spinal clinical research and SpineMark is pleased to serve as its partner in establishing SRS,” says Marcy Rogers, president and CEO of SpineMark. “We expect our spine research model to serve as a significant and long-term driver of growth for the unit.” In addition to its partnership with RNOH, SpineMark continues to broaden its international presence, having jointly announced an agreement with Quirón Hospital Group, the largest private hospital network in Spain, the grand opening of the Quirón Torrevieja Spine Center at Quirón Torrevieja Hospital in Torrevieja, Spain. This is the first spine center of excellence in Spain, the European Union and the UK. “The partnership with RNOH is an exciting development for SpineMark,” says Rogers. “There is an ever-growing global demand for advanced spinal treatment and research, and we are looking forward to developing new relationships with sponsors and industry leaders to continue supporting this need through the creation of premier spinal research organizations with prestigious institutions like RNOH.”