Johnson & Johnson has announced plans to separate its orthopaedics subsidiary, DePuy Synthes, into a standalone company within the next 18 to 24 months, marking the healthcare giant’s second major spinoff since 2023.

The move will directly affect operations at DePuy’s Cork facility in Ringaskiddy, where approximately 1,700 people are employed. Operating in Ireland since 1997, the site plays a key role in Johnson & Johnson’s global orthopaedics business. In 2019, DePuy announced a €36 million investment to establish a 3D Printing Development and Launch Centre, which has since delivered the company’s first commercial 3D-printed knee implant.

Johnson & Johnson said the separation aims to enhance strategic and operational focus, positioning both entities to deliver stronger growth and value creation. The new standalone business will retain the DePuy Synthes name and is expected to become the largest and most comprehensive orthopaedics-focused company globally, holding leading market shares across major categories.

“The planned separation reflects our long-standing commitment to portfolio optimisation and value creation,” said Joaquin Duato, CEO of Johnson & Johnson. “We are confident that our Orthopaedics business will be better positioned to improve top-line growth and operating margins as a standalone business.”

In 2024, the Orthopaedics division generated approximately $9.2 billion in sales, accounting for about 10% of Johnson & Johnson’s total revenue. Despite being profitable, the company said the next phase of innovation in orthopaedics lies “beyond our current scope and likely in better hands somewhere else.”

Johnson & Johnson employs around 5,000 people across Ireland, with operations in both Ringaskiddy and Little Island. The company recently raised its 2025 sales forecast to as high as $93.9 billion, citing stronger-than-expected earnings and continued growth across its MedTech and Innovative Medicine divisions.

Explore more about Johnson & Johnson’s latest transformation and its impact on Ireland’s life sciences sector here.