JnJ, Verily in formation of Verb Surgical Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Monday announced the formation of Verb Surgical Inc., an independent surgical solutions company, in collaboration with Verily Life Sciences LLC (formerly Google Life Sciences).

This new company was formed in connection with the strategic collaboration between Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson medical devices company, and Google Life Sciences, which was announced in March 2015. Scott Huennekens, an experienced business leader with over 20 years in the medical device industry, has been appointed as Verb Surgical’s President and CEO.

“We believe Verb Surgical has the potential to change the future of surgery, not just robotic surgery,” said Gary Pruden, Worldwide Chairman, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices. “The team has already made meaningful progress on the robotics platform, which is being developed for application across a host of surgical specialties.” Ethicon, which has deep expertise in minimally invasive surgery and advanced instrumentation, is developing surgical instruments for Verb Surgical’s new robotics-assisted platform.

In the coming years, Verb Surgical aims to develop a comprehensive surgical solutions platform that will incorporate leading-edge robotic capabilities and best-in-class medical device technology for operating room professionals. The goal of Verb Surgical is to develop these new technologies in partnership with surgeons and hospitals to enable better patient outcomes, improve access to minimally invasive surgery, and achieve greater hospital efficiency.

Verb Surgical is supported by investments from Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., and Verily. Both Ethicon and Verily have contributed intellectual property, in-process R&D assets, and other resources to Verb Surgical, including managerial, technological, and surgical expertise. Verb Surgical will be headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. Under Mr. Huennekens’ leadership, the company will be overseen by a Board of Directors, which will include members fromEthicon, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LLC, Verily and Google.

“I’m very excited about the possibilities that we can realize through our new surgical solutions company,” said Scott Huennekens, President and CEO, Verb Surgical. “By maximizing the distinct capabilities of these two market-leading companies, we aim to develop novel technologies and solutions to help improve the standard of care around the world. Our name speaks for itself. We are a company dedicated to action and to making a difference in people’s lives, in partnership with surgeons globally.”

Additional details regarding Verb Surgical Inc. and the development of its technologies will be communicated in the future by Verb Surgical.