Intrinsic Therapeutics Announces Updated Recommendations for Barricaid Technology to Prevent Reherniation
Intrinsic Therapeutics Updates Barricaid Recommendations
Boston, June 19, 2025 — In a significant advancement for spinal surgery, Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc. has announced the latest policy update from the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) regarding bone-anchored annular closure techniques. This update supports the use of the Barricaid Annular Closure Device, aiming to prevent reherniation in patients undergoing lumbar discectomy who have large annular defects.
For patients at high risk of reherniation, the Barricaid device has demonstrated an extraordinary potential to reduce repeat surgeries by 81%. This impressive figure underlines the need for efficient intervention in preventing complications from existing lumbar discectomy procedures.
The recent ISASS update reflects emerging clinical evidence and newly available coding systems that are shaping the clinical landscape since the original recommendations were issued in 2020. In particular, the update cites pivotal five-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) results that illustrate Barricaid’s effectiveness over conventional discectomy practices. Additional elements in this revision include highlights from the U.S. confirmatory study, various meta-analyses, and updates regarding the introduction of new ICD-10 codes for reporting defect size. Furthermore, a new Category I Clinical Procedure Term (CPT) code is set to become effective in 2026, reinforcing the medical necessity of this technique.
Dr. Morgan P. Lorio, Past President of ISASS and Chair Emeritus of its Coding and Reimbursement Task Force, emphasized that the bone-anchored annular closure is essential to address the vulnerabilities left by traditional discectomy procedures. He stated, "The updated position reflects new five-year randomized data showing significant reductions in symptomatic reherniation, reoperation, and device-related adverse events. With new CPT and ICD-10 codes now in place and FDA-approved technology available, ISASS urges coverage and appropriate clinical adoption to improve outcomes and reduce the overall healthcare burden in this well-defined, high-risk population."
April Spillane, Vice President of Health Economics at Intrinsic Therapeutics, expressed appreciation for the updated guidelines. She acknowledged the importance of professional spine organizations such as ISASS in expanding access to advanced treatment options. "Their efforts in advancing Barricaid as an important treatment choice for high-risk discectomy patients highlight their leadership in supporting innovative technologies. This makes a meaningful difference for both patients and healthcare providers alike."
About Barricaid
Barricaid is designed to address the challenge of reherniation and reduce the need for reoperation in patients with significant annular defects following lumbar discectomy. This proprietary technology has been used in over 12,000 cases and is supported by clinical evidence across multiple studies, including two RCTs and six single-arm trials. A multicenter, Level I RCT demonstrated superior outcomes for patients treated with Barricaid compared to traditional discectomy alone.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated; with ongoing advancements in spinal surgery techniques and associated therapies, Barricaid stands at the forefront of innovative solutions catering to the unique needs of discectomy patients. Further information can be found in the full ISASS 2025 Recommendations and Coverage Criteria document accessible through their official channels.