J&J originally projected its Ottava soft-tissue robotic surgery system would enter first-in-human trials in 2022 and reach the market by 2023, but the development has been delayed by technical challenges and COVID-19-related disruptions. Now the company plans to start trials of a four-armed version of the device in about a year.

This week, we learned that the US FDA thinks Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain interface device isn’t ready for human trials.  Additionally, J&J cut about 300 medtech jobs, Stryker launched a knee implant, and Active Implants’ meniscus replacement device made it to the FDA’s advisory panel calendar. 

Johnson & Johnson plans to buy Abiomed for $380 per share – about $16.6bn in total – plus up to $35 per share in potential commercial and clinical milestone-contingent payments. Abiomed is the clear leader in percutaneous circulatory support technology, but would benefit from J&J's reach and resources while complementing J&J's Biosense Webster electrophysiology business.