Biomet Inc. has made a $280 million binding offer to acquire the worldwide trauma business of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics Inc.
“This transaction will provide Biomet with a much stronger presence in the global trauma market and greatly expands our sports, extremities and trauma business, which is a meaningful growth driver for Biomet,” said President and CEO Jeffrey R. Binder in a statement.
It would also ease European regulatory concerns tied to J&J’s $19.2 billion acquisition of Synthes Inc. Last April, J&J agreed to buy the maker of trauma, spine and other medical tools, but EU antitrust officials launched an investigation into the sale in November over concerns that the purchase would make J&J the leader in the already concentrated $5.5 billion trauma device market. Jan Wald, a senior medical device analyst at Morgan Keegan, told The New York Times in February that J&J was more interested in Synthes’ spine business and selling off part of its trauma business was a possible solution.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Biomet, meanwhile, just dodged a bullet of its own by agreeing to a $22 million settlement regarding U.S. allegations that it bribed doctors in countries like Brazil and China over a period of several years. The Warsaw, Indiana company designs, manufactures and markets surgical and nonsurgical products used by musculoskeletal medical specialists.
According to Reuters, the sale is expected to close in the second quarter.
Biomet generated $2.7 billion in sales in 2011. DePuy, comprising the Warsaw, Indiana-based Orthopedics Division and three others, generated $5.8 billion in sales last year.
