Waypoint Orthopedics

Waypoint Orthopedics is a spine surgery medical device company founded by Dr. Stephen Banco and backed by Runway Healthcare, LP. The company specializes in vertebral fixation systems designed to reduce radiation exposure and enhance surgical efficiency in open and minimally invasive spine procedures. Waypoint's primary product is the GPS (Guided Pedicle System), an FDA-approved surgical navigation system that provides real-time intraoperative guidance for pedicle screw placement. The system addresses a critical occupational health concern: spine surgeons routinely exceed their lifetime radiation exposure limits within the first decade of practice, experiencing up to 12 times higher radiation exposure than other fluoroscopically-assisted surgical specialties. The GPS system enables more confident pedicle screw positioning while substantially reducing radiation exposure to surgeons, operating room staff, and patients. The company's regulatory credentials include FDA approval for use in both open and minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery. Leadership includes seasoned medtech executives, with clinical guidance from a surgeon advisory board comprising experienced spine surgeons. Waypoint targets hospital and ambulatory surgical center OR environments performing routine spinal fusion and stabilization procedures. The company positions its technology at a large addressable market—approximately 1.62 million spine surgeries annually in the United States—where pedicle screw fixation is a standard technique.