The AO Foundation and icotec ag are proud to announce a major milestone in their collaborative effort to advance spine surgical care: the CMORE^® Cervicothoracic System is approved by the AO Technical Commission Spine on December 5, 2025, and is scheduled for release to the US market under 510(k) clearance in quarter 1, 2026.

The CMORE^® CT System is made from BlackArmor^® engineered Carbon/PEEK and features radiolucency, offering significant advantages to patients with tumors in the cervicothoracic spine. The material’s low imaging artefact profile enhances diagnostic clarity and facilitates postoperative monitoring. Its compatibility with postoperative radiotherapy allows more precise treatment planning, optimizing dosage delivery, and expanding the range of treatment modalities available, while allowing earlier detection of tumor recurrence.

Members of the AO-icotec Task Force who collaborated closely to develop the CMORE^® Cervicothoracic System. From left: Ramon Hüppi (icotec), Jean-Paul Wolinsky, Roger Stadler (icotec), Lorin Benneker, Nils Diethelm (AO), Laura Hüsken (icotec), Maarten Spruit, Yu-Mi Riang, Kurt Zoller (icotec), Christian Mazel, Richard Bransford.

Dr. Maarten Spruit, Chair of the AO Technical Commission Spine, emphasized the importance of the new solution: "The AO Technical Commission is delighted to have worked closely with our icotec colleagues in a special Task Force chaired by Prof. Christian Mazel, to bring this much-needed innovation to patients. Until now, no cervicothoracic spine implant system has adequately addressed the unique needs of patients who require spine stabilization and ongoing tumor treatment in the cervical and upper thoracic spine”. Prof. Mazel added: “The collaboration between the AO Task Force and icotec has been outstanding. We are confident that this new development will markedly improve patient care and outcomes in this challenging clinical area”.

The CMORE^® CT System is grounded in icotec's radiolucent BlackArmor® material, offering potential as a platform for broader orthopedic applications. Following the system’s launch, spine surgeons from the AO Technical Commission and the global AO network will continue to monitor the CMORE^® CT System and to work closely with icotec, applying icotec’s cutting-edge capabilities in Carbon/PEEK composites and material properties to new spine surgical solutions.

Development work underway for the CMORE^® Cervicothoracic System. Left, Task Force Chairperson Christian Mazel; right, Laura Hüsken (icotec).

Roger Stadler, Group CEO of icotec, emphasized the value of this collaboration: "Our joint projects with the AO Innovation Translation Center, in particular the AO Technical Commission, enable us to combine our world-class engineering capabilities in Carbon/PEEK composites with the expertise of globally renowned spine surgeons. This allows us to offer patients better treatment options and ultimately, a better quality of life."

icotec ag is a family-owned SME in Altstaetten, Switzerland established in 1999. icotec designs and manufactures nonmetallic spinal implants made from BlackArmor^® (Carbon/PEEK) material. icotec has become the world leader in spine tumor care and is setting new standards for tumor treatments.