ORSINGER OUT AT DEPUY SYNTHES. J&J REORGANIZES DEVICE BUSINESS (
Michel Orsinger is out as head of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) DePuy Synthes orthopedics business following a reorganization of J&J’s medical device businesses.
Single Medical Devices Group
The company is creating a single Medical Devices Group by integrating its surgery and orthopedics business under the leadership of Gary Pruden, head of the surgery business. Pruden will become worldwide chairman, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices. Orsinger told the company of his intention to pursue other opportunities outside J&J.
Orsinger was CEO of Synthes, Inc. when he helped arrange for J&J’s $21.3 billion acquisition of Synthes in 2011. He reportedly received a $51.9 million parachute in the transaction. He then became head of J&J’s combined DePuy Synthes orthopedics business.
Gary Pruden
Pruden is a sales guy, starting his career as a sales representative for Baxter Edwards. He joined J&J in 1985 with Janssen Pharmaceutical, Inc. in New Jersey and held a number of senior positions in sales, marketing, and strategic account management. In 2001, he was named vice president of marketing for the primary care franchise and was responsible for establishing significant growth for the businesses. He then became VP of sales and marketing for the CNS Franchise in 2003, helping to successfully launch new brands and establish significant new growth.
In April 2004, he was appointed president of Janssen-Ortho Inc., a brand-name pharmaceutical company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. He also functioned as the company’s chief operating officer, overseeing all operations in Canada. He led the company through several lifecycle and patent expiries, while enabling Janssen-Ortho to become the fastest growing large pharmaceutical company in Canada in 2004.
Pruden became J&J’s company group chairman and worldwide franchise chairman for Ethicon and a member of the Medical Device and Diagnostics Group Operating Committee in 2009. In 2012 he became worldwide chairman of J&J’s Global Surgery Group.
Surgery Business
The Global Surgery Group included: Ethicon Surgical Care, Ethicon Energy, Ethicon Biosurgery, Cardiovascular Care, Mentor, Acclarent and Sterilmed.
J&J Vice President, Global Media Relations, Ernie Knewitz informed OTW of the reorganization on May 7, 2015, following our inquiry about reports of Orsinger being arrested in Pennsylvania for an alleged assault of a family member.
No further details were provided of the reorganization of the company’s medical devices business.