J&J Renews Commitment To Devices With Synthes Deal

Rumors that Johnson & Johnson was looking to exit cardiovascular devices and perhaps go so far as to divest its entire device business apparently can be put to rest in light of the company's recently announced plans to acquire orthopedics leader Synthes Inc.[See Deal] The $21.7 billion deal – the largest acquisition in J&J's history – bolsters the company's lagging DePuy Synthes orthopedics division by enhancing its spine business and making it the leader in the trauma market, a relatively small but fast-growing orthopedic sector.

J&J's support for orthopedics is also notable for coming at a time when DePuy is facing internal challenges related to...