DePuy Synthes Makes Dual Strategic Moves Ahead of Potential Spin-off or Sale: Secures Gemtrack RF Tracking Option and Novosis Commercialization Rights

May 28, 2026 19:05 CST Updated 19:05

Johnson & Johnson

Medical Device R&D and Manufacturer

CGBIO

Regenerative Medicine Technology Developer

DePuy Synthes

Orthopedic Product Developer

▲ Source: Medical Device Hub

▲ Please cite the above source when reprinting.

May 26, 2026, Raynham, Massachusetts.

Johnson & Johnson's DePuy SynthesSuddenly Announced: An Innovative Enterprise from Grenoble, FranceMinMaxMedicalIn hand,Acquired an option to purchase a radiofrequency tracking technology named Gemtrack。

The amount was undisclosed, the terms were kept low-key, and the press release used restrained language. Yet to those in the operating room who truly know the industry, it conveys an entirely different meaning:The Dominant Era of Infrared Optical Tracking May Be Entering Its Countdown。

On the same day, a second major announcement was also made:`Signed Exclusive Commercialization Agreement with South Korea's CGBIO for Novosis Bone Grafts in the US, Canada, and Australia`。

The Operating Room's "Line-of-Sight Dilemma"

To understand the value of GemTrack, it is essential to first examine how orthopedic surgeries are currently performed.

Today's orthopedic robotic navigation systems are essentially optical tracking systems.Preoperatively, invasive bone pins are inserted into the patient to secure the tracking array; intraoperatively, the infrared cameras must maintain a "direct line of sight" at all times—a raised hand by the lead surgeon or a turn by the circulating nurse can cause the system to "go blind," disrupting the surgical workflow.

A surgeon who has performed over a hundred robot-assisted knee replacements once quipped: "We use the most advanced technology to perform the most precise surgeries, yet we still have to tend to it like an old-fashioned projector, constantly worrying that someone might block the optical path."

Gemtrack's solution is to replace "optical tracking" with "electromagnetic tracking." RF signals penetrate human tissue and are unaffected by occlusions. The trackers are also miniaturized, which is expected to reduce those bulky invasive anchors.

DePuy Synthes Global President Namal Nawana saidwas very direct: this collaboration will"Widely applied in the VELYS ecosystem to reduce reliance on line-of-sight navigation, and is expected to improve navigation accuracy.""

From "must see" to "no need to see", this represents a fundamental shift in the design philosophy of surgical workflows.

The Acquisition Foreshadowing Hidden in the Partnership History

There is another easily overlooked context to this transaction: this is not the first time the two parties have collaborated.

MinMaxMedical founder Stéphane Lavallée and his team had previously collaborated successfully with DePuy Synthes—including those for knee joint replacementVELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution, and for spinal surgeryVELYS Active Robotic-Assisted System。

The flow of technology along innovation corridors is hardly a new phenomenon. But this time is different. What DePuy Synthes has acquired is not a single product, but ratherGemtrack’s selective rights for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of shoulder, hip, and knee joints, encompassing both navigation and robotic application scenarios.。

If successfully developed and approved by regulators, RF micro-tracking will enter joint reconstruction surgery at scale for the first time. VELYS is poised to establish a new industry standard, while the entire industry will face a difficult choice: following suit means abandoning two decades of accumulated technological expertise; not doing so means gradually falling behind in operating room experience.

Stryker Mako、Zimmer Biomet ROSA、Smith+Nephew NAVIO——In the current mainstream camp of orthopedic robots, the underlying foundational technology remains infrared optical tracking.If successfully commercialized, Gemtrack will provide VELYS with a key differentiator.

More importantly, if the radiofrequency solution can indeed substantially reduce the reliance on invasive anchors, it naturally occupies the moral high ground in its clinical value narrative: a more minimally invasive approach, fewer complications, and a more streamlined surgical workflow. These are not the terms of engineers, but the language understood by hospital procurement committees and payers.

Novosis's Ticket to the Bone Regeneration Market

On the same day, another deal, overshadowed by the Gemtrack spotlight, carried no less weight.

Novosisis an advanced bone graft containing rhBMP-2, developed by CGBIO,Featuring a sustained-release carrier platform and ceramic scaffold for spinal, craniomaxillofacial, and trauma surgeries.。

Image source: Internet

DePuy Synthes secures exclusive commercialization rights in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and both parties will jointly advance the FDA's IDE and PMA pathways.

The North American bone graft substitute market is valued at approximately $1.53 billion. DePuy Synthes had previously collaborated with CGBIO exclusively in the Asia-Pacific region; this entry into North America directly fills the gap in bone biologics within its spine product portfolio.

Nawana's assessment was straightforward: "Novosis has the potential to become a transformative treatment option in the orthopedic medical field."

"Final Sprint" on the Eve of a 20 Billion Valuation

Turning back the clock toIn October 2025, Johnson & Johnson officially announced the spin-off of DePuy Synthes., targeting completion within 18 to 24 months.

Four months later, the situation took a new turn: Bloomberg and Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that Johnson & Johnson has pivoted to exploring a direct sale, with a valuation exceeding $20 billion, as multiple private equity funds began to "keep a close watch." Johnson & Johnson CFO Joe Wolk's response left room for flexibility:Tax-Free Spin-Off Remains the Preferred Option, but Open to Alternatives。

Whether spun off or sold, DePuy Synthes faces the same question:Before spinning off from the parent company, it must prove itself an asset worthy of independent valuation.。

In fiscal year 2025, DePuy Synthes reported revenue of approximately $9.26 billion, with a growth rate of only 1.1%, significantly below the 15.8% growth rate of Johnson & Johnson's cardiovascular business.。Against the backdrop of Stryker surpassing Johnson & Johnson for the first time in 2025 to become the global leader in orthopedic revenue, these financial results are clearly lackluster.

Therefore, the two transactions on May 26 can now be clearly interpreted:Gemtrack is a technological moat., tell a story of "next-generation navigation";Novosis is a ticket to the market., entering the largest bone graft substitute material market in North America.

Both share the same objective: to enable DePuy Synthes, which is poised for independence or a change in ownership, to present a more comprehensive and compelling asset portfolio to investors.

Based onChina, Connecting the World

Zero Inventory GroupSpecializing in one-stop centralized procurement and overseas supply chain services for medical devices.

Featuring a vast selection of high-quality devices and consumables (CE/FDA certified).

Actively seeking partners or trading companies with overseas hospital, clinic, and medical channel resources for collaboration to monetize resources and jointly expand into international markets.

Source: Publicly available online information

Note: The above content is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice. The interpretation of official policies in this article represents solely the views of this platform, and official documents shall prevail. Any platform that reposts this article shall assume sole responsibility for it; this platform shall not be held liable for any impacts arising from secondary dissemination resulting from such repost.

If you liked this, please click "Like" before you leave.