DePuy Synthes And Johnson & Johnson Institute Launch First-Of-Its-Kind In Australia Mobile Training Lab For VELYS^TM Robotic-Assisted Solution

Sydney, Australia (October 20) - DePuy Synthes* in Australia, the Orthopaedics business unit of Johnson & Johnson, and the Johnson & Johnson Institute, today launched a first-of-its-kind in Australia mobile training lab bringing next-generation training directly to surgeons and their teams around Australia.

The VELYS^TM Digital Surgery Mobile Lab will provide on-site access to next-generation hands-on training, virtual reality-based operating environments, and real-time collaboration with the global surgical community, all of which is designed to equip Australian orthopaedic surgeons to be proficient with the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution, the company’s latest innovation in knee replacement surgery.

Recent research conducted in the UK revealed that accessibility to training is more important than ever with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on more than just operative and clinical experiences in hospital settings.[i] This heightens the need for surgical training that moves away from more traditional education models and supports a more flexible and accessible learning environment.ⁱ Patients, in turn, can be confident that surgeons have had access to next-generation training to hone their skills despite the pressures of a COVID environment.

Ben Travers, Vice President of DePuy Synthes Australia, Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd., said: “An increasing number of surgical procedures utilise robotic assistance.[ii] It is critical to address the learning curve when adopting next-generation med tech to utilise it effectively and take advantage of its efficiencies.ⁱⁱⁱ That’s why we’re making significant investments in next-generation training to provide comprehensive and personalised learning for the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution.”

The mobile training lab is part of a suite of training solutions DePuy Synthes Australia and the Johnson & Johnson Institute are providing that will blend traditional training programs with new technologies, including:

• a semi-trailer mounted mobile lab with self-contained meeting, training, and lab space with the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution;
• virtual reality operating environments where surgeons can experience virtual surgical procedures using the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution while connected with other surgeons around the world;
• life-like, 3D printed, surgical models for an enhanced surgical training experience; and
• a dedicated and personalised online learning platform.

“We’re making next-generation training easily available at a surgeon’s place of work with our ground-breaking mobile training lab and suite of solutions,” added Travers.

The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution is the next-generation in robotic assisted surgery for knee replacement, developed to support the positioning of implants to align with each patients’ individual anatomy. The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution incorporates a first-of-its-kind operating table mounted solution that adapts to the surgeon’s workflow and utilises advanced planning capabilities, and proprietary technology to help surgeons accurately resect bones that align and position the implant relative to the soft-tissue during total knee replacement without the need for pre-operative imaging. The compact design integrates into any operating room and does so with a smaller footprint, at less than half the size of some other robotic-assisted solutions.^{iv, v}

The mobile lab will begin its tour around Australia later this month. Healthcare Professionals can experience a Virtual 3D Tour of the Mobile Lab at the upcoming Australian Orthopaedic Association’s virtual Annual Scientific Meeting from 8 – 10 November 2021 where there will also be live video crosses to the mobile lab for VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution demonstration sessions.

VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution is one of the solutions within the broader DePuy Synthes’ VELYS Digital Surgery platform of technologies designed to enable greater insights for real-time decision-making, increased precision and consistency, and a more personalized care experience, with the goal of enhancing efficiencies and improving patient outcomes.

About DePuy Synthes:
DePuy Synthes, The Orthopaedics Company of Johnson & Johnson, provides one of the most comprehensive orthopaedics portfolios in the world that helps heal and restore movement for the millions of patients we serve. DePuy Synthes solutions, in specialties including joint reconstruction, trauma, extremities, craniomaxillofacial, spinal surgery and sports medicine, in addition to the VELYS™ Digital Surgery portfolio, are designed to advance patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide.

Building on our proud product innovation and legacy of industry firsts, we are reimagining the orthopaedic landscape with new advancements in medical technologies and digital surgery across the entire continuum of care to Keep People Moving today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.jnjmedicaldevices.com/en-au/companies/depuy-synthes.

*DePuy Synthes represents the products and services of Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd. and its affiliates.

About Johnson & Johnson Institute:
The Johnson & Johnson Institute educates more than 125,000 health care professionals each year around the world. Education efforts span 25 locations and online modules, encompassing a variety of specialties, including surgical oncology, cardiology and electrophysiology, obesity, ophthalmic and orthopaedic diseases.

About Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies:
At Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we are helping people live their best lives. Building on more than a century of expertise, we tackle pressing healthcare challenges, and take bold steps that lead to new standards of care while improving people’s healthcare experiences. In surgery, orthopaedics, vision and interventional solutions, we are helping to save lives and paving the way to a healthier future for everyone, everywhere.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the VELYS^TM Digital Surgery Mobile Lab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Limited and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in the company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

[i] C. Hope, J.-J. Reilly, G. Griffiths, J. Lund & D. Humes. The impact of COVID-19 on surgical training: a systematic review. 2021. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10151-020-02404-5 . Accessed 25 August 2021.
[ii] Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). Hip, Knee & Shoulder Arthroplasty: 2020 Annual Report, AOA, Adelaide; 2020: 1-474. [Accessed 9 July 2021 from https://aoanjrr.sahmri.com/annual-reports-2020].
ⁱⁱⁱ P Sousa et. al. 2020. Robots in the operating room during hip and knee arthroplasty. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. Accessed: 8 July 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7251009/
^iv RIO Technical User Guide (February 24, 2021). Internal Report 103732371. (As cited in The VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution versus Mako® A comparison of system compactness)
^v VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution Operation Dimension (February 24, 2021). Internal Report 103486302. (As cited in The VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution versus Mako® A comparison of system compactness)