Nissha Goes Big on Medical Micromolding with Isometric Buy

Nissha Medical Technologies has formalized a definitive agreement to acquire majority equity in micromolding company Isometric Intermediate LLC.

A contract design/development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Wisconsin-based Nissha Medical Technologies is part of Japan’s Nissha Co. Ltd. The acquisition, which is expected to close later this month, will bolster Nissha Medical’s capabilities in the design, development, and manufacture of minimally invasive surgical devices and medical wearables, and further expand medtech innovation, said the company.

Established in 1990 as a supplier of tooling and manufacturing services for small, precise, and complex applications, New Richmond, WI–based Isometric added precision micromolding to its portfolio in 2013. The company was purchased by Donna Bibber and Wayne Shakal in 2021, becoming CEO and president, respectively. Isometric has established itself as a leading supplier of micromolding services to the medical device industry. Through the acquisition, it will become a subsidiary of Nissha Medical.

“Isometric’s proprietary tooling and process technologies for micromolding have positioned them as trailblazers in achieving single-micron tolerances,” said Nissha Medical in the announcement. “Their micro-formed products have significantly contributed to the miniaturization of endoscopic and surgical devices, enhancing functionality and driving improved patient outcomes,” the company added, citing Isometric’s in-house expertise in tool making, molding process controls, advanced metrology, micro 3D printing, and micro-assembly automation platforms.

Nissha Medical’s parent company said that it sees “immense growth potential” in the medical CDMO market and plans to expand its pipeline by broadening its capabilities to better serve the development of minimally invasive surgical instruments. It also expressed an ambition to explore possibilities within the surgical robotics field.

As part of its effort to strengthen those capabilities, Nissha also announced on Nov. 7, 2023, a capital and business partnership with Nashville-based EndoTheia Inc., specialized in the design and development of endoscopic devices. The acquisition of Isometric greatly enhances this partnership “as we expand our CDMO business through manufacturing technology, intellectual property, and vertically integrated capabilities,” commented Nissha.

At the time of writing, Isometric is scheduled to exhibit at Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West in Anaheim, CA, on Feb. 6 to 8, 2024. MD&M is part of IME West 2024, which also includes Plastec West.