Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary Ethicon said today it closed its acquisition of Torax Medical, and its Linx acid reflux treatment portfolio, for an undisclosed amount.
The Linx system from Shoreview, Minn.-based Torax is an implant composed of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores that augments the esophageal sphincter’s barrier function to prevent reflux in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Torax is also developing a similar device, Fenix, designed to treat fecal incontinence.
“Torax and Ethicon share a vision for the transformational role that our products can have in advancing patient care. We are excited to join together to expand patient access to the clinical benefits of LINX,” Torax Medical CEO Todd Berg said in a press release.
Ethicon said that the acquisition “is aligned with Ethicon’s strategy of expanding its portfolio of minimally invasive options for patients suffering from prevalent and serious medical conditions.”
“Millions of patients continue to suffer from GERD symptoms even when taking high dosages of medication to treat the acid reflux and are left with limited choices to improve their symptoms. This novel technology offers patients an attractive minimally invasive surgical alternative, that preserves gastric anatomy, establishes normal physiological function, and is reversible,” Ethicon group chair Michael del Prado said in a prepared statement.
