Strategic Shifts in Orthopedic Device Commercialization: Forma Medical's Focus on OptimalMTP™

In a strategic move aimed at redefining the landscape of foot and ankle surgery, Forma Medical Inc. has announced a concentrated focus on its flagship innovation, OptimalMTP™, a minimally invasive solution for first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint fusion.

This development comes alongside the issuance of a new U.S. patent and the appointment of veteran orthopedic executive Aaron Smith to the company’s Board of Directors.

Designed to align the gold-standard stability of plate-and-screw constructs with the advantages of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), OptimalMTP™ enables joint fusion through smaller incisions without compromising surgical biomechanics. The procedure has already been used in over 650 patients, a clinical milestone that Forma sees as validation of both the technique’s effectiveness and its commercial viability.

The decision to concentrate company resources on OptimalMTP™ underscores what Forma describes as “clinical and commercial momentum.” By doubling down on this technology, the company aims to accelerate surgeon adoption, expand its clinical evidence base, and position OptimalMTP™ as the category-defining approach in MTP fusion.

To further protect and support this trajectory, U.S. Patent No. 12,521,157 has been issued to Forma Medical, covering broad method claims related to minimally invasive joint fixation. The patent secures procedural techniques that allow low-profile plating constructs to be delivered through limited incisions—critical to balancing the demands of reproducibility, cosmesis, and stability in MTP procedures.

Complementing this technological and clinical advancement is the appointment of Aaron Smith to the company’s Board of Directors. Smith, the former CEO of Artelon, brings more than 20 years of experience in orthopedic device leadership. His tenure at Artelon culminated in a successful acquisition by Stryker, and his background spans strategic transactions, commercialization, and product innovation. Forma sees Smith’s addition as instrumental in guiding its next phase of growth.

The company will showcase OptimalMTP™ and other innovations at the upcoming American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Annual Scientific Conference, scheduled for February 23–27, 2026, in Las Vegas—a pivotal platform to engage the surgical community and demonstrate the procedure’s impact.

Privately held and based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Forma Medical is focused on developing orthopedic solutions that marry biomechanical reliability with minimally invasive technique. With OptimalMTP™ at the center of its portfolio, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of modern MTP fusion, where procedural refinement meets real-world outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• What’s new? Renewed focus on OptimalMTP™, a reported 650-patient clinical experience, and issuance of a methods patent shape the current strategic landscape.
• Who’s affected? Surgeons, device procurement teams, and commercial partners should review implant workflows, monitor outcomes reporting, and anticipate licensing discussions.
• What changes next? Expect accelerated adoption, active licensing conversations, and competitive responses; stakeholders should track conference data and subsequent IP developments.