J&J Takes Break from Divestitures and Hops on M&A Trail

Apparently two things happen in September: Football season comes back in full swing, and medtech acquisitions begin to pick up. For the third time this week, a new medtech deal has been announced from a larger player in the game.

This time out, Johnson & Johnson, through a subsidiary, is acquiring Emerging Implant Technologies Gmbh (EIT), a privately held manufacturer of 3D-printed titanium interbody implants for spinal fusion surgery, for an undisclosed sum.

This acquisition allows DePuy Synthes, the orthopedics business of Johnson & Johnson, to enhance its interbody implant portfolio that includes expandable interbody devices, titanium integrated PEEK technology and now 3D-printed cellular titanium, for both minimally invasive and open spinal surgery.

The EIT technology complements DePuy Synthes’ investment in the interbody implant segment in spine, including the recent introductions of the CONCORDE LIFT Expandable Interbody Device, and in the U.S., the PROTI 360° Family of Titanium-Integrated Interbody Implants, designed to treat patients with degenerative disc disease.

“Our goal is to offer a complete portfolio of interbody solutions that provides surgeons with even more options for the treatment of their patients,” Aldo Denti, Company Group Chairman of DePuy Synthes, said in a statement.

M&A hasn’t been a staple of Johnson & Johnson’s strategy this year. The company has mostly been focused on shedding businesses. Most recently, Johnson & Johnson received a $2.7 billion offer for its sterilization unit from Fortive and has sold its LifeScan diabetes unit to Platinum Equity for $2.1 billion.

M&A activity in medtech has been very busy this week. On Monday, London-based BTG said it would acquire Novate Medical for about $20 million in cash with the potential for an additional $130 million in milestones.

On Tuesday, Stryker said it made a proposal to acquire Invuity for $190 million.

And late last week, Boston Scientific, which has been very busy with M&A this year, acquired Augmenix for a $500 million cash payment upfront and up to $100 million in sales-based milestone payments.