by
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | January 16, 2026
Smith+Nephew has announced the acquisition of Integrity Orthopaedics, a U.S.-based developer of a novel rotator cuff repair system, as it moves to expand its portfolio in shoulder surgery and soft tissue repair.
The $225 million upfront deal, with up to $225 million in additional milestone payments over five years, brings the Tendon Seam system under the umbrella of the London-based medtech company. The device received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2023 and is indicated for the reattachment of soft tissue to bone, including tendons, ligaments, and joint capsules.
Tendon Seam incorporates micro-anchors, a continuous suture with individually locked stitches, and an integrated implantation tool. According to the company, the system offers a simplified technique that has shown promising early outcomes, including lower re-tear rates, reduced sling time, and shorter procedures compared with traditional methods. Approximately 500,000 rotator cuff repairs are performed each year in the U.S., a market estimated to be worth $875 million.
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Smith+Nephew president of sports medicine Scott Schaffner said in a statement, “Smith+Nephew now has an unrivalled portfolio for shoulder, including a powerful next‑generation rotator cuff repair platform to complement market-leading biological augmentation, the newest shoulder arthroplasty system, and proven solutions across shoulder instability.”
Integrity Orthopaedics was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Maple Plain, Minnesota. Its leadership includes several individuals with ties to Rotation Medical, whose REGENETEN implant was acquired by Smith+Nephew in 2017. Integrity CEO Tom Westling said, “Tendon Seam’s™ promising performance combined with Smith+Nephew’s track record launching innovative products, which I experienced firsthand with REGENETEN, give me confidence we will together change the standard of care in soft tissue repair.”
Smith+Nephew expects the transaction to close by the end of January and anticipates it will be accretive to the company’s trading profit margin by 2028. The acquisition will be funded from existing cash reserves.
