J&J Merger Undermined Surgical Robot Project, Auris Exec Says

Just days after its 2019 merger with Auris Health Inc., Johnson & Johnson began undermining a promising robotic surgical system by forcing it into competition with a rival system in development at the pharmaceutical giant, a former Auris executive testified Thursday at the Delaware Court of Chancery.

David Mintz, former vice president of research and development for the iPlatform system at Auris, said the surgical robot was being designed to be mounted on an operating table—making it easier to use in smaller operating rooms than similar devices mounted to the ceiling—and had more functional arms than currently operating surgical robots. ...