Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Synthes Advances Spin-off Plans with AI Launch and Strategic Deals

Johnson & Johnson Orthopedics Spin-off: New Developments Emerge.

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Johnson & Johnson Reveals Future Plans for DePuy Synthes

Planned to complete the spin-off by mid-2027

On June 9 local time, Johnson & Johnson announcedcloth, DeP under Johnson & Johnson MedTechuy SynthesOfficially Launched in the United States: AI-Assisted Velys Hip Navigation System。

Clinical data demonstrate that, compared with manual operation alone, the AI-assisted VELYS™ Hip Navigation System enables precise reproduction of anatomical landmarks, based on comparative study data,With AI assistance, the average time for marker localization was 2.27 minutes, whereas manual operation alone took an average of 5.33 minutes, reducing the overall surgical procedure time by 57%.

Meanwhile, according to media reports, also this week,Johnson & Johnson also revealed its future spin-off plans for DePuy Synthes.

A Johnson & Johnson spokesperson stated,The Company is continuing to advance the spin-off related work while also considering other alternative options. Apart from confirming that the project is proceeding according to the established plan and that the previously announced timeline remains unchanged, there are no further updates to disclose at this time.

Janardhan Ramachand, President of Global Digital, Robotics Surgery, and Customer Solutions at DePuy Synthes, discussed in a media interviewPerspectives on the Future Development of DePuy Synthes：“As the spin-off progresses step by step, morale within the company is high."We boast the industry's premier product portfolio and position ourselves as a technology enterprise with a comprehensive technical system and differentiated competitive advantages."

He stated that over the past two weeks, DePuy Synthes announced several strategic collaborations, particularlyIn the field of markerless tracking technology, this technique will become the future development direction for large-scale orthopedic equipment, fundamentally transforming the paradigm of intraoperative imaging display and positional tracking.. We are highly optimistic about our existing product pipeline, and thisThe implementation of AI-assisted solutions will also become our core focus.。”

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DePuy Synthes Makes Consecutive Moves

Building Momentum for the Spin-off

Since the announcement of the spin-off in October 2025, followed by reports in February 2026 that Johnson & Johnson was considering a direct sale of the division for over $20 billion, the divestiture plan for Johnson & Johnson’s orthopedics segment has remained unresolved.

Yet, intriguingly, while the spin-off plan remains under discussion, DePuy Synthes has made successive moves.

On May 26, DePuy Synthes announced an agreement with MinMax Medical of Grenoble, France,Acquire Gemtrack Micro RF Tracking TechnologySelective rights in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of navigation and robotic applications for shoulder, hip, and knee joints.

And this is also what Janardhan Ramachand mentioned above: “Will become the future development direction of large-scale orthopedic equipment” technology.

The groundbreaking nature of this technology lies not in optimizing parameters within the crowded field of optical tracking, but in fundamentally changing the technological logic by employing radiofrequency technology to reduce the need for invasive fixed implants, thereby achieving continuous, ultra-high-precision real-time intraoperative tracking.

If this technology can realize the aforementioned vision, Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics will gain stronger technological barriers and core competitiveness.

Furthermore, Johnson & Johnson officially announced the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement with CGBIO, a biotechnology enterprise deeply engaged in the field of regenerative medicine. The collaboration focuses on the research and development and commercialization strategy for NOVOSIS, a high-end growth factor-complex bone graft substitute. The product will be integrated into DePuy Synthes’ comprehensive orthopedics portfolio, spanning spinal surgery, craniomaxillofacial surgery, and trauma orthopedics.

Should the clinical data meet the required endpoints and regulatory approval be successfully obtained, NOVOSIS will further expand the treatment options available in DePuy Synthes’ spine surgery portfolio.

The VELYS Hip Navigation System, powered by artificial intelligence and officially launched in the United States, is a new-generation medical device software that employs a static machine learning model.Automated Image Interpretation and Anatomical Landmark Localization for Surgeons Performing Total Hip Arthroplasty. According to the introduction, the system can output in real time data such as lower limb length, offset, and acetabular prosthesis position tailored to the patient's individual condition.

DePuy Synthes, citing research data, projects that the annual volume of total hip arthroplasty procedures in the United States will reach approximately 850,000 by 2030, representing a 129% increase from 2014.

Janardhan Ramachand stated, “The new generation of AI-assisted Velys hip navigation system is designed to automate multiple time-consuming steps during surgery.”For ambulatory surgery centers and high-volume medical institutions performing 10 to 15 joint surgeries per day on average, every minute is invaluable.。”

Even as its future remains uncertain, this orthopedic giant is proving through its actions that it remains a “technology-driven player” worthy of serious consideration.

The global orthopedics market is undergoing a major reshuffle. In 2025, Stryker surpassed Johnson & Johnson for the first time, claiming the top spot globally with $9.5 billion in orthopedic revenue. Zimmer Biomet is closely trailing with approximately $8.23 billion in revenue and a 7.2% growth rate. Medtronic is leveraging a dual strategy with its Stealth AXiS spine robotics platform and the Hugo™ RAS soft-tissue surgical robot, with the indications for the Hugo™ robot expected to expand further in the United States.

Amid intense competition, DePuy Synthes needs to deliver a more compelling performance record to secure its viability as an independent entity in the future.

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