Stryker Sheds Spine Business, Focuses on Growth with Inari Medical Acquisition

Stryker has reached an agreement to sell its U.S. spinal implants business to Viscogliosi Brothers, a family investment firm with expertise in neuro-musculoskeletal products, forming VB Spine. The deal also includes a binding offer to acquire Stryker’s spinal products in France, while additional international divestitures are expected. CEO Kevin Lobo cited challenges in meeting performance expectations for the spine segment but emphasized Stryker’s continued interest in interventional spine products, including its Q Guidance System and the Mako Spine robot, which received FDA clearance in 2023. The company’s fourth-quarter earnings reflected an $818 million impairment charge related to the spine business.

At the same time, Stryker is advancing its $4.9 billion acquisition of Inari Medical, a leading manufacturer of mechanical thrombectomy systems for treating vascular disease. Expected to close in late February, the acquisition is poised to make Stryker a dominant player in the growing venous thromboembolism treatment market, estimated at $15 billion globally. Stryker expects Inari to generate $590 million in constant currency sales in the 10 months following the deal’s completion, with significant international expansion potential. Additionally, Stryker announced that Preston Wells will succeed retiring CFO Glenn Boehnlein, further signaling a shift in leadership and strategic focus.