Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary Ethicon agreed to buy Torax Medical and its Linx acid reflux treatment for an undisclosed amount.
J&J, which got in on a $25 million funding round for Torax last year, said the deal is “consistent with Ethicon’s strategy of advancing innovation and investing in areas of unmet medical needs such as esophageal health.” It’s expected to close during the 1st quarter.
The Linx system 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.
“The acquisition of Torax Medical will enable Ethicon to offer patients a safe and effective alternative to the anatomy-altering laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication surgical procedure,” Cincinnati-based Ethicon said.
