Specialist healthcare products company opens first office in the US
Growing ostomy specialist Trio Healthcare, based in Skipton and Knutsford, has made a significant step forward in its international growth strategy by opening its first office in the US – in Princeton, New Jersey.
The launch of a US-based team sees Jay Thompson join the business as vice president and general manager, with Nick Noble appointed vice president of sales and business development and Andy Marxen as clinical director.
Thompson and Noble bring with them extensive experience in the North American healthcare and medical technology market.
Thompson previously spent time at global medical specialist ConvaTec, and the pair have also worked with wound care disruptor Crawford Healthcare and Acelity, as well as healthcare giant 3M.
Jay Thompson
It is the first time the company will have a direct sales presence in the lucrative US ostomy market, currently valued at $1.5bn, and home to over 725,000 people living with a stoma.
And it comes as Trio looks to launch its world-first stoma bag within American markets in the first quarter of 2022.
The company recently secured US patent approval for its Sil2TM technology, a breathable silicone material that presents the first real innovation within the ostomy market in over 40 years.
The silicone adhesive blend adheres well to skin and does not disintegrate, slip, or irritate the skin – a common problem with traditional ostomy products that rely on hydrocolloid adhesives. The material forms the basis of Trio’s first stoma bag, GeniiTM, launched this year.
So far, Sil2TM has achieved patent approval in Japan, Canada and Australia, in addition to the US approval just received.
Following approximately $10m/£7.4m in funding from US-based SWK Holdings Corporation earlier in 2021, Trio has significantly increased investment into its R&D teams, doubling headcount, whilst also expanding its Skipton manufacturing facilities over recent months.
The opening of the US office is the latest milestone in Trio’s international expansion, since it launched teams in the MENA and Asia Pacific region in April this year, welcoming Hussain Malkawi and Christian Stegle as business directors in Dubai and Singapore respectively.
Nick Noble
It is also actively looking for acquisitions in North America and Brazil.
Trio Healthcare CEO, Chris Lane, said: “The North American ostomy market is a lynchpin of these expansion plans and establishing our first office in the region will enable us to better reach the clinicians and patients we aim to support with our silicone innovations.
“Jay and Nick bring considerable experience and expertise to the table, particularly in launching new medical technologies and products.
“They will be fundamental to laying the groundwork ahead of the launch of our first stoma bag into the US market, which will be transformational to so many ostomates.
“Trio remains one of the only ostomy specialists that truly innovates for better clinical outcomes, constantly pushing for better stoma products and choice for patients. This will be a continued focus as we continue to expand.”
