SI-BONE’s Future, Dunn’s Future and, Indeed, the Future of Medicine Itself
“Our plans involve expansion in significant ways, both from a human resources and a revenue perspective. In 2018 we did more than 5,000 procedures in the U.S.; we think that the whole market is approximately 280,000 per year. Our goal is to build the number one franchise in the sacro-pelvic anatomy. If we can educate physicians and their healthcare teams about including the SI joint in a differential diagnosis, then that is a good thing because that joint is responsible for more than 15% of all chronic lower back pain.”
“The way I view healthcare in general is that there are lots of good solutions out there, but to date we have underinvested in prevention and diagnosis. Thus far we have invested $75 million in clinical evidence, diagnosis and reimbursement, our overarching goal being to change the landscape of healthcare by helping with better diagnosis of lower back pain.”
“To that end we will bring more solutions, increase our team, and build differentiated products. One of the challenges in spine is that a lot of products are commoditized and are not supported by clinical evidence. We are attempting to steer the ship with differentiation supported by solid clinical evidence.”
In addition to pointing the ship towards the SI joint business, Jeff Dunn is giving consideration to sending out another, synergistic, ship. “Yes, we will expand in the SIJ [sacroiliac joint] space, but we are also expanding in the adult deformity space and trauma spaces—but only when the products are complementary and synchronize with our core SIJ business.”
A self-described “opera nut,” Jeff Dunn can be found in the great halls of San Francisco, Paris, and Milan, accompanied by his wife, who is a medical device lawyer. “I am like a little kid when it comes to opera!” Dunn also loves spending time with his five children and two grandchildren.
As for his work life, the captain of the SI-BONE ship has a little reminder lest he wander off course.
“Behind my desk sits a fortune cookie that has been there for 30 years. It says, ‘The greatest pleasure in life is doing what others say you cannot do.’”
