From new technology acquisitions to regulatory clearances to leadership changes, here are 20 developments and updates from the biggest players in the orthopedic and spine medtech space, as reported by Becker’s since April 1:
Johnson & Johnson/DePuy Synthes
- Johnson & Johnson plans to cut 56 jobs from its corporate headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J. in August.
- DePuy Synthes entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with CGBIO for the development and commercialization of an advanced bone graft substitute.
- DePuy Synthes entered into a definitive agreement to acquire selective rights for Gemtrack, a proprietary tracking technology for shoulder, hip and knee surgeries.
- With an orthopedic business split on the horizon, Johnson & Johnson has seen steady growth and momentum in that segment, leaders said in a first-quarter earnings call.
- Johnson & Johnson reported nearly $2.4 billion in orthopedic sales during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 6.3% from the previous year.
Medtronic
- Medtronic plans to acquire SPR Therapeutics, a pain management company, in a $650 million deal.
- Medtronic appointed Kweli Thompson, MD, as executive vice president and president of its neuroscience portfolio.
- The company named Rogerio Branco as chief operations and supply chain officer.
- Medtronic’s Stealth AXiS spine robot earned the European Union’s CE Mark.
- Jeffrey Gum, MD, performed the world’s first case using Medtronic’s Stealth AXiS spine robot.
- Foundation Surgical’s NavLock lateral lumbar disc prep instruments earned the FDA’s 510(k) clearance for use with Medtronic’s O-arm and StealthStation.
Smith+Nephew
- Nathan Folkert was named as Smith+Nephew’s new orthopedic president, replacing Craig Gaffin in the role.
Stryker
- Stryker created a new Ortho Tech division during the first quarter combining the orthopedic instruments, enabling technologies and Mako robotics portfolios.
- Stryker recorded $6 billion in consolidated net sales in the first quarter of 2026, a 2.6% increase.
Zimmer Biomet
- Zimmer Biomet secured 510(k) clearance from the FDA for an advanced version of its ROSA Shoulder System.
- Zimmer Biomet saw just under $2.1 billion in first-quarter sales.
- The company’s CFO Suketu Upadhyay departed the medtech company.
- Zimmer Biomet and Bloomington-based Indiana University inked a three-year collaboration to bolster orthopedic research and innovation.
- The company secured FDA 510(k) clearance for an extension to its Identity Shoulder System and Comprehensive Reverse Shoulder Systems.
- Jonathan Vigdorchik, MD, was named chief science, technology and medical affairs officer at Zimmer Biomet.
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