J&J Acquisition of Auris Featured on FierceBiotech

FierceBiotech featured Auris in an article about Johnson & Johnson's $3.4 billion all-cash agreement to acquire Auris Health. Auris could receive up to $2.35 billion in additional payments by hitting certain milestones. FierceBiotech previously named Auris among their "Fierce 15" in medtech in 2017.

The article discusses how J&J's acquisition of Auris via its Ethicon division will help expand the Monarch Platform into other interventions. Auris's initial focus is on diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures, and they have previously worked with Ethicon subsidiary NeuWave to add microwave ablation to the end of the Monarch's bronchoscope. This would enable physicians to detect and treat lung cancer in a single procedure.

J&J's previous partnerships and acquisitions have their commitment to advancing the robotic surgery industry. J&J has partnered with Verily to create Verb Surgical, developing a general robotic surgery platform. They also acquired Orthotaxy to assist in development of a robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery platform.

J&J's worldwide chairman of medical devices, Ashley McEvoy, said of the Auris acquisition: "In this new era of healthcare, we're aiming to simplify surgery, drive efficiency, reduce complications and improve outcomes for patients, ultimately making surgery safer.

"We believe the combination of best-in-class robotics, advanced instrumentation and unparalleled end-to-end connectivity will make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes."

Auris CEO, robotic surgery pioneer Dr. Fred Moll, also looks forward to the partnership with J&J, saying "We look forward to continuing to shape the future of intervention with the added expertise and resources of the world's largest healthcare organization." Dr. Moll will join J&J after the deal closes, which is expected to happen by early July.