J&J Is Said to Mull Buying Robotic Surgery Firm Auris Health (2)

Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest maker of health-care products, is pursuing an acquisition of Auris Health Inc. in a deal that would bring it cutting-edge surgical robotics technology, people with knowledge of the matter said.

J&J is seeking to purchase Auris at a premium to the valuation from its latest funding round, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. That financing valued the Redwood City, California-based company at about $2 billion, one person said.

The closely held firm, led by industry veteran Fred Moll, has developed robotic surgical scopes operated with ...