Huge Johnson & Johnson Acquisition Targets Robotics

Photo of Chris Lange
By Chris Lange Updated Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
Huge Johnson & Johnson Acquisition Targets Robotics

© Jacek_Sopotnicki / iStock

On Wednesday, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ | JNJ Price Prediction) announced that its subsidiary, Ethicon, had entered a definitive agreement to acquire Auris Health, a robotic technology firm, initially focused on lung cancer.

Management believes this acquisition will accelerate Johnson & Johnson’s entry into robotics, with potential for growth and expansion into other interventional applications.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ethicon is acquiring Auris for approximately $3.4 billion in cash. Additional contingent payments of up to $2.35 billion, in the aggregate, may be payable upon reaching certain predetermined milestones.

Johnson & Johnson is creating a connected digital ecosystem centered around using data to improve patient outcomes that leverages world-class robotic technology. This ecosystem will empower patients to take charge of their health, guide surgeons through procedures and help them advance their skills and enable health care systems to deliver more consistent procedures while also managing costs.

[nativounit]

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2019.

Ashley McEvoy, executive vice president and worldwide chair of Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices unit, commented:

In this new era of health care, 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.

Shares of Johnson & Johnson were last seen trading at $134.61, in a 52-week range of $118.62 to $148.99. The consensus analyst price target is $144.22.

[recirclink id=527115]

[wallst_email_signup]

Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

Featured Reads

Our top personal finance-related articles today. Your wallet will thank you later.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

CBOE Vol: 1,568,143
PSKY Vol: 12,285,993
STX Vol: 7,378,346
ORCL Vol: 26,317,675
DDOG Vol: 6,247,779

Top Losing Stocks

LKQ
LKQ Vol: 4,367,433
CLX Vol: 13,260,523
SYK Vol: 4,519,455
MHK Vol: 1,859,865
AMGN Vol: 3,818,618