Synthes Confirms J&J Merger Talks

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: [[ticker:JNJ]]) is in discussions with Swiss medical device maker Synthes about a potential merger, according to a statement today from Synthes. Rumors emerged on Friday that New Brunswick, NJ-based J&J was considering picking up Synthes for as much as $20 billion. Synthes makes a variety of devices used in spinal surgery, hand and wrist procedures, and other surgical settings. JNJ’s stock was up about a half a percent in morning trading, to $60.89.

Author: Arlene Weintraub

Arlene is an award-winning journalist specializing in life sciences and technology. She was previously a senior health writer based out of the New York City headquarters of BusinessWeek, where she wrote hundreds of articles that explored both the science and business of health. Her freelance pieces have been published in USA Today, US News & World Report, Technology Review, and other media outlets. Arlene has won awards from the New York Press Club, the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Foundation for Biomedical Research, and the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Her book about the anti-aging industry, Selling the Fountain of Youth, was published by Basic Books in September 2010.