Synthes
Swiss-founded medical-device brand known for orthopedic trauma implants, surgical instruments, biomaterials, and spine products.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Synthes is a Swiss-founded medical-device brand specializing in products used to stabilize, repair, and reconstruct damaged bone. Its historical core was internal fixation: plates, screws, intramedullary nails, and related instruments used to treat fractures and other orthopedic trauma. The company also developed systems for spinal surgery, craniomaxillofacial procedures, osteotomy, surgical power tools, and biomaterials used to fill bone defects. The brand originated within Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO/ASIF), a Swiss nonprofit organization established to advance the science and practice of internal fixation. AO/ASIF applied the Synthes trademark to implants manufactured by industrial partners, including Straumann and Mathys Medizinaltechnik. In 1975, the Synthes internal-fixation business was separated from AO/ASIF and Straumann, while Synthes USA, founded by Hansjörg Wyss, became another commercial partner of the organization. The company’s relationship with AO/ASIF gave it an important connection to orthopedic education and surgeon training, particularly in Europe. Corporate consolidation shaped the brand’s later development. Straumann separated its implant business into Stratec Medical in 1990, and Stratec subsequently became publicly traded. In 1998, Stratec and Synthes USA merged to create Synthes-Stratec, with Wyss becoming the enlarged company’s majority shareholder. Mathys sold its osteosynthesis business to Synthes-Stratec in 2004, although some assets were divested to address competition concerns. The company then adopted the shorter Synthes name, and its shares entered the Swiss Market Index in 2004. In 2006, Synthes acquired the Synthes trademark and much of the related intellectual property from the AO/ASIF foundation in a transaction reported at approximately CHF1 billion. Synthes expanded beyond implants through acquisitions and product development. In 2007 it acquired N Spine, a company focused on spinal technologies, and in 2010 it acquired The Anspach Effort, a US manufacturer of surgical power tools. The company’s portfolio ultimately covered trauma, spine, craniomaxillofacial surgery, veterinary osteotomy, surgical instruments and power systems, and bone-repair biomaterials. The company also faced significant regulatory and legal consequences concerning Norian XR and related calcium-phosphate bone cement products. US authorities alleged that Synthes and affiliates promoted the products for spinal uses that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, conducted unauthorized clinical investigations, and failed to properly report adverse events. Synthes and Norian pleaded guilty in 2010, and four former executives later received prison sentences. The episode became one of the most serious compliance controversies in the company’s history. In 2011, Johnson & Johnson and Synthes agreed to a transaction combining Synthes with Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy orthopedic business. Johnson & Johnson announced completion of its acquisition of Synthes in June 2012, with the transaction valued in public announcements at approximately $19.7 billion. Synthes was subsequently integrated into Johnson & Johnson’s orthopedics and broader MedTech operations. The Synthes name and product families continued as important parts of Johnson & Johnson’s orthopedic portfolio, even though the independent publicly traded company ceased to exist.
History
Synthes began as a trademark and commercializing structure associated with AO/ASIF, the Swiss organization devoted to the study and teaching of internal fixation. Around 1960, the organization introduced the Synthes name for implants produced under license by industrial partners. The business model connected product development and manufacturing with a professional education network that trained orthopedic surgeons in fracture-care techniques. In 1975, the internal-fixation business was spun off from AO/ASIF and Straumann. Synthes USA, founded by Hansjörg Wyss, became a third commercial partner. Straumann and Mathys expanded production and distribution internationally, while Synthes developed a durable position in orthopedic trauma. The association with AO/ASIF and its surgeon-training activities helped establish familiarity with Synthes systems among European orthopedic practitioners. Straumann separated its implant operations into Stratec Medical in 1990. Stratec later completed an initial public offering, and in 1998 it merged with Synthes USA to form Synthes-Stratec. Wyss became the majority shareholder and remained a central figure in the company until its sale. Mathys, the remaining original industrial partner, sold its osteosynthesis department to Synthes-Stratec in 2004. Following that transaction, the company dropped the Stratec suffix and returned to the Synthes name. Its shares were included in the Swiss Market Index in September 2004. A major intellectual-property transaction followed in 2006, when Synthes acquired the Synthes brand and much of the associated patent portfolio from the AO/ASIF foundation. The reported price was about CHF1 billion, and AO received a stake in Synthes. The organizations continued to collaborate in areas related to orthopedic education and research. The company broadened its portfolio through internal development and acquisitions. It acquired N Spine in 2007, strengthening its spinal business, and bought The Anspach Effort in 2010 to add surgical power tools. Its divisions covered trauma implants and instruments, spinal products, craniomaxillofacial systems, veterinary osteotomy products, powered surgical equipment, and biomaterials for bone defects. Synthes's expansion was accompanied by a major US compliance controversy involving Norian XR and Norian SRS. Prosecutors alleged that products cleared for certain bone-repair applications were promoted for vertebral compression-fracture procedures despite regulatory restrictions, and that unauthorized studies and inadequate adverse-event reporting occurred. The allegations included deaths during procedures and concerns about the interaction of the cement with blood. Synthes and Norian pleaded guilty in 2010; the company agreed to financial penalties and the divestiture of Norian, while four executives received prison sentences later in 2011. In 2011, Synthes reached an agreement with Johnson & Johnson involving DePuy, Johnson & Johnson's orthopedic business. Johnson & Johnson announced the acquisition in 2012 for approximately $19.7 billion. After completion, Synthes became part of Johnson & Johnson's orthopedic and MedTech activities. Restructuring after the combination resulted in job reductions in some subsidiary operations, including a relocation of the Italian headquarters from Milan to Rome. The independent Synthes corporation no longer operates as a separate listed company, but its brand and product heritage remain within Johnson & Johnson MedTech.
- 2012
Acquired by Johnson & Johnson
[1]Johnson & Johnson completed the acquisition of Synthes, integrating it into its orthopedic and MedTech operations.
- 2011
Combination with Johnson & Johnson agreed
[1]Synthes and Johnson & Johnson's DePuy orthopedic business agreed to a combination.
- 2010
The Anspach Effort acquired
[1]Synthes acquired a US surgical-power-tool manufacturer.
- 2007
N Spine acquired
[1]Synthes acquired N Spine, expanding its spinal-device portfolio.
- 2006
Brand and patent rights acquired from AO/ASIF
[1]Synthes acquired the trademark and much of the associated intellectual property from the AO/ASIF foundation.
- 2004
Mathys osteosynthesis business acquired
[1]Synthes-Stratec acquired Mathys's osteosynthesis department and subsequently shortened its corporate name to Synthes.
- 2004
Added to the Swiss Market Index
[1]Synthes shares entered the benchmark Swiss Market Index.
- 1998
Synthes-Stratec created
[1]Stratec and Synthes USA merged to create the publicly traded Synthes-Stratec group.
- 1996
Stratec partially listed
[1]Stratec Medical completed a partial listing of its shares on the Swiss exchange.
- 1990
Stratec Medical formed
[1]Straumann separated its implant business into the privately owned Stratec Medical.
Products and positioning
A specialist, clinically oriented orthopedic technology brand built around internal fixation expertise, surgeon education, procedural systems, and a broad portfolio spanning trauma, spine, reconstruction, instruments, and biomaterials.
Orthopedic trauma
Internal fixation plates and screws
Synthes's historic core consists of plate, screw, and instrument systems used to stabilize fractured bones. These systems cover different anatomical regions and fixation techniques, allowing surgeons to align bone fragments and maintain stability during healing. The product family helped establish Synthes as a major specialist in fracture treatment.
Orthopedic trauma
Intramedullary nail systems
Intramedullary nails are implants placed inside the medullary canal of long bones to stabilize fractures. Synthes developed nail systems and associated instruments for applications including femoral and tibial trauma. They form a major part of the brand's trauma offering.
Spinal surgery · 2007
Spine systems
Synthes produced implants, instruments, and procedural systems for spinal surgery, including products associated with vertebral stabilization and reconstruction. The spinal business was strengthened by the acquisition of N Spine in 2007.
Craniomaxillofacial surgery
Craniomaxillofacial systems
These systems are designed for fixation and reconstruction involving the skull, facial bones, and jaw. They extend the Synthes fixation model beyond conventional limb trauma into specialized reconstructive and craniofacial procedures.
Surgical instruments · 2010
Surgical power tools
Synthes supplied powered instruments used for cutting, drilling, and other orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures. The acquisition of The Anspach Effort in 2010 expanded the company's capabilities in high-speed surgical tools and instrument systems.
Biomaterials
Norian bone void fillers
Norian products were calcium-phosphate bone void fillers intended to occupy defects in bone. Norian XR and related products became the subject of US criminal and regulatory proceedings after authorities alleged that they were promoted and used in unapproved spinal procedures.
Controversies
2019
Synthes GmbH recalls USS II Polyaxial spinal fixation system
Synthes GmbH initiated a recall of specified models and batches of the USS II Polyaxial spinal fixation system following an unusual trend in complaints about intraoperative abnormal sounds and cracking of locking-ring components. Johnson & Johnson (Shanghai) Medical Equipment Co. was identified as the product's agent. The notice described the recall as Class I.
2010
Norian guilty pleas and penalties
Synthes and Norian pleaded guilty to criminal allegations involving the shipment of adulterated and misbranded products and interference with FDA functions. Norian agreed to a $23 million fine and divestiture, while four former executives later received prison sentences ranging from five to nine months.
2009
Norian XR regulatory and clinical-trial controversy
US prosecutors alleged that Synthes and Norian promoted Norian XR for spinal uses not authorized by the FDA, conducted unauthorized clinical investigations, failed to report adverse events properly, and made false statements during an FDA inspection. The case involved allegations concerning deaths during procedures and safety concerns related to the material's interaction with blood.
Brand decisions
2012
Sell Synthes to Johnson & JohnsonM&ABackground
Synthes was a major independent orthopedic-device company with global trauma, spine, instruments, and biomaterials operations.
Action taken
Johnson & Johnson completed the acquisition and integrated Synthes into its orthopedic and MedTech activities.
Aftermath
Synthes ceased to operate as an independent listed company, while its brand and product families continued within Johnson & Johnson MedTech. Some subsidiary operations experienced job losses and restructuring.
Acquisition value. $19.7 billion (2012)
2011
Agree to combine with Johnson & Johnson's DePuy orthopedic businessM&ABackground
Synthes sought to combine its trauma, spine, and orthopedic capabilities with Johnson & Johnson's DePuy business.
Action taken
The companies agreed to a merger and acquisition transaction.
Aftermath
The combination created a larger orthopedic platform and led to Johnson & Johnson's acquisition of Synthes in 2012.
2010
Divest Norian after criminal caseOtherBackground
Norian products were implicated in allegations concerning unapproved spinal uses and unlawful clinical trials.
Action taken
Synthes agreed to divest Norian as part of the resolution of the criminal proceedings.
Aftermath
The Norian business was separated from Synthes while the company and former executives faced criminal penalties.
2006
Acquire the Synthes trademark and related intellectual propertyOtherBackground
The Synthes brand and much of its patent portfolio had been associated with AO/ASIF and its industrial partners.
Action taken
Synthes acquired the trademark and related intellectual property from the AO/ASIF foundation.
Aftermath
The transaction consolidated control of the brand and patent portfolio while AO/ASIF retained an ownership interest and continued collaborating with Synthes.
Reported transaction value. (2006)
Recent events
Reported
Synthes announces acquisition of OrthoSpin[4]
Trendlines announced that Synthes GmbH, part of DePuy Synthes, would acquire its portfolio company OrthoSpin for US$79.5 million in cash, payable upon closing. The source reports the acquisition as an announcement, not as completed.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Synthes GmbH recalls USS II Polyaxial spinal fixation system[3]
Synthes GmbH initiated a recall of specified models and batches of the USS II Polyaxial spinal fixation system following an unusual trend in complaints about intraoperative abnormal sounds and cracking of locking-ring components. Johnson & Johnson (Shanghai) Medical Equipment Co. was identified as the product's agent. The notice described the recall as Class I.
- Unconfirmed
Synthes GmbH recalls USS II Polyaxial spinal fixation system[5]
Synthes GmbH voluntarily recalled the USS II Polyaxial system after complaints indicated abnormal intraoperative noise and cracking of the locking-ring component in specific models and batches. Johnson & Johnson (Shanghai) Medical Equipment Co. was identified as the product's agent. The notice reported affected shipments in Germany, Switzerland, China, Japan and Australia.
Sources5 sources
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