1. In Vivo
  2. >>Global Vision

Could Medtronic’s Kanghui Purchase Set Course For US Entry?

Last month Medtronic agreed to pay close to $800 million for Chinese orthopedics implant maker China Kanghui Holdings. To be sure, the purchase of Kanghui secures Medtronic’s footing in China, one of the fastest growing health care economies in the world. In addition, it likely will help Medtronic close in on its goal of bringing in 20% of its revenue from emerging markets.

Since taking the CEO seat at Medtronic PLC last year, Omar Ishrak has set the multinational on two principal paths. The first path extends Medtronic’s reach into emerging markets, a popular destination for US and European health care companies seeking to tap into those countries’ surging economies to offset stagnant growth in their home markets. The second, less prominent, strategy is so-called reverse innovation, a philosophy Ishrak brought over from his time as CEO of GE HealthCare, the $12 billion subsidiary of General Electric. (SeeAlso see "Reverse Innovation: Is The US Losing Its Edge In Innovation?" - In Vivo, 24 January, 2012..) Historically, the US medical device industry has been rewarded for innovation that provides better clinical outcomes. But competing in emerging markets – and ultimately in developed markets – also might require device makers to produce tools that provide good-to-adequate outcomes at lower prices.

Medtronic brought both philosophies into play last month when it agreed to pay close to $800 million for Chinese orthopedics...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Global Vision

UK Bets On Regulatory Innovation As Competitive Advantage In Synthetic Biology

 
• By David Wild

The UK government has prioritized synthetic biology and created a "concierge service" for biotechs just as the US cuts science funding.

Chinese Firms Build Obesity Clinical Pipeline But Face Wider Hurdles

 
• By Xu Hu

Despite the ability to initiate clinical trials quickly and having strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies are facing multiple challenges in the obesity space.

Unpacking The Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs On Drug Pricing And Production

 
• By Ed Silverman

Big pharma plans to invest billions of dollars in US manufacturing to avoid tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration. However, the implementation of these plans may be delayed due to regulatory complexities and rising costs from tariffs, potentially impacting drug prices for consumers.

Barcelona’s S2 Xpeed Accelerates Hardware-Based Medtech Start-Ups From Prototype To Market

 
• By Marion Webb

S2 Xpeed is driving the rapid growth of medtech and hardware start-ups in Europe. Operating under a "sweat equity" model, the program helps early-stage companies move from prototype to manufacturing readiness in exchange for equity.

More from In Vivo

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By Ashley Yeo

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By David Wild

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.