J&J acquires Auris Health

Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (J&J), has completed the acquisition of robotic medical company Auris Health for about USD 3.4 billion. The deal also includes additional contingent payments of up to USD 2.35 billion, based on the achievement of certain predetermined milestones. Auris Health’s robotic platform technology, which is presently used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the lung, will help J&J to combat lung cancer and expand its digital surgery portfolio across multiple surgical specialties. Auris Health has designed Monarch Platform for future clinical applications. The technology features an instinctive controller interface, which allows physicians to navigate the flexible robotic endoscope to the periphery of the lung. The platform and its accessories will offer bronchoscopic visualization and access to patient airways for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

The complement of robotic platform technologies is currently in development in general surgery with Verb Surgical, via J&J collaboration with Verily, and in orthopedics with the acquisition of Orthotaxy. The data-driven digital system pairs the market-leading surgical solutions with advanced technologies to improve the patient experience. Separately, US-based Fortive has completed the acquisition of advanced sterilization products (ASP) business from Ethicon for around USD 2.7 billion in cash. ASP supplies its customers with advanced sterilization and disinfection solutions, as well as low-temperature hydrogen peroxide sterilization technology. The firm’s solutions plan to help healthcare facilities to protect patients against hospital-acquired infections, which are a major reason for morbidity and mortality.