MedTechDive summary
Dive Brief:
Stryker said Monday it has agreed to buy Artelon for an undisclosed sum to add soft tissue repair technology to its portfolio.
The deal will give Stryker ownership of soft tissue fixation products for foot and ankle and sports medicine procedures. BTIG analysts said in a research note the takeover could boost growth and serve as a “defensive mechanism against peers who have been growing rapidly in the space.”
Orthopedic companies including Zimmer Biomet have acquired soft tissue technologies in recent years, but Artelon’s use of synthetic materials sets its products apart from collagen-based rivals.
Dive Insight:
Artelon has developed products to help people recover from injuries such as ankle sprains. Such injuries can resolve over time but some people have pain and instability that lead physicians to recommend surgery. Devices such as Artelon’s Flexband are designed to help restore the strength and elasticity of healing soft tissues.
While some soft tissue products are based on collagen, Artelon’s are made from the synthetic polymers commonly found in other medical devices. Artelon said it developed Flexband to integrate...
