Johnson & Johnson to buy surgical robotics firm Auris Health for $3.4bn
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has pushed further into the robotics market after acquiring surgical robotics company Auris Health Inc. for around US$3.4bn.
The multi-billion-dollar deal will “ accelerate Johnson & Johnson’s entry into robotics with potential for growth and expansion into other interventional applications”, the firm said in a statement.
Auris Health is a California-based privately-held firm that creates robotic technologies.
It is primarily focused on lung cancer, with its FDA-cleared platform currently being used in bronchoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
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“In this new era of health care, we’re aiming to simplify surgery, drive efficiency, reduce complications and improve outcomes for patients, ultimately making surgery safer,” said Ashley McEvoy, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Medical Devices, Johnson & Johnson.
“We believe the combination of best-in-class robotics, advanced instrumentation and unparalleled end-to-end connectivity will make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.”
Following the deal, Frederic Moll, M.D., CEO and Founder of Auris Health, will join J&J.
“We’re thrilled to be joining Johnson & Johnson to help push the boundaries of what is possible in medical robotics and improve the lives of patients across the globe,” said Dr. Moll.
“Together, we will be able to dramatically accelerate our collective product innovation to develop new interventional solutions that redefine optimal patient outcomes,”
The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the second quarter in 2019.
Last year, J&J also acquired robot-assisted surgery company Orthotaxy for an undisclosed amount.
