Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies Acquire Orthotaxy to Develop Next-Generation Robotic-Assisted Surgery Platform in Orthopaedics

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PARIS, Feb. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, through French affiliate Apsis S.A.S., announced today the acquisition of Orthotaxy, a privately-held developer of software-enabled surgery technologies, including a differentiated robotic-assisted surgery solution. This proprietary technology is currently in early-stage development for total and partial knee replacement, and the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies plan to broaden its application for a range of orthopaedic surgery procedures.

The goal is to build a next-generation robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery solution that is cost-effective, time-efficient, and user-friendly in a variety of care settings. Orthotaxy's technology will be a critical part of a complete orthopaedic solution that uses enabling technologies to personalize procedures, optimize surgery and bring value to customers and patients. Founded by Stéphane Lavallée, a robotics entrepreneur, Orthotaxy designs and develops computer-assisted platforms.

"Our goal is to bring to market a robotic-assisted surgery technology that is an integral part of a comprehensive orthopaedics platform, delivering value to patients, physicians and healthcare providers across the episode of care," said Ciro Rӧmer, Company Group Chairman of DePuy Synthes, the orthopaedics business of Johnson & Johnson. "The team at Orthotaxy has significant expertise and passion in developing this platform, and we aspire to bring to market a differentiated technology that helps improve clinical outcomes and increases patient satisfaction."

This acquisition underscores the companies' commitment in building an innovative and comprehensive digital surgery platform that brings value to customers and improves the standard of care for as many patients as possible. Moving forward, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies will focus on digital technology solutions that expand beyond providing best-in-class products to transformative solutions across the full continuum of care.

Financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.

About DePuy Synthes

DePuy Synthes, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, provides one of the most comprehensive orthopaedics portfolios in the world. DePuy Synthes solutions, in specialties including joint reconstruction, trauma, craniomaxillofacial, spinal surgery and sports medicine, are designed to advance patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide. For more information, visit www.depuysynthes.com.

About the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies

The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies' purpose is to reach more patients and restore more lives. Having advanced patient care for more than a century, these companies represent an unparalleled breadth of products, services, programs, and research and development capabilities in surgical technology, orthopedics, cardiovascular, and specialty solutions with an offering directed at delivering clinical and economic value to healthcare systems worldwide.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the acquisition of Orthotaxy. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Apsis, DePuy Synthes, the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, and Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities of the acquisition may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; challenges inherent in product research and development, especially at an early stage of the development program, including uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success for new products; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; and changes to applicable laws and regulations, including tax laws and global health care reforms. In addition, there are risks and uncertainties related to the ability of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies to successfully integrate the technology, operations and employees of Orthotaxy, as well as the ability to ensure continued development of Orthotaxy's products. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017, including under "Item 1A. Risk Factors," its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including under the caption "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies