Zimmer Biomet Expands ASC Offering with Getinge Partnership

Zimmer Biomet, a leading orthopedic implant manufacturer, has entered into a strategic partnership with Getinge to distribute infection control and surgical products to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). This move significantly broadens Zimmer's portfolio for the rapidly growing ASC market, positioning the company as a comprehensive solution provider in the outpatient orthopedic surgery space.

ASC Market Growth Drives Strategic Partnerships

The collaboration comes amid a surge in ASC popularity, with Medicare-certified facilities increasing from just over 6,000 in late 2022 to nearly 6,500 by March 2025, according to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association. This growth has been fueled in part by Medicare's expansion of coverage for total knee replacements in 2020 and total hip replacements in 2021.

Zimmer Biomet has been quick to capitalize on this trend, with CEO Ivan Tornos reporting that ASCs now account for approximately 20% of the company's U.S. sales, up from 2-4% pre-pandemic. The company projects this figure to reach 40-60% within the next five years, underlining the strategic importance of the ASC market to Zimmer's future growth.

Comprehensive ASC Offering

The partnership with Getinge allows Zimmer to offer a one-stop solution for ASCs, combining its existing orthopedic implants and surgical robotics with Getinge's infection control and surgical equipment. This expanded portfolio includes surgical lighting and other essential products, enhancing Zimmer's ability to meet the diverse needs of outpatient surgical facilities.

Jehanzeb Noor, Chief Strategy, Innovation and Business Development Officer at Zimmer, emphasized the deal's strategic importance: "As orthopedic surgeries increasingly migrate from traditional hospital settings to ASCs, the imperative to drive efficiency, enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes has never been greater. By aligning with Getinge, we're accelerating our ability to support surgeons in advancing these priorities, while shaping the future of orthopedic care."

Strategic Expansion and Future Outlook

The Getinge partnership is part of a broader strategy by Zimmer Biomet to strengthen its position in the ASC market. In late 2024, the company acquired foot and ankle implant provider Paragon 28 for $1.1 billion, a move that CEO Tornos said would enable cross-selling of trauma and biologic devices and improve Zimmer's "category leadership position in ASC."

Zimmer plans to initially focus on the U.S. market with its expanded ASC offering, with potential for global expansion in the future. Tornos has also hinted at more acquisitions on the horizon, stating there were "more deals to come that are similar to Paragon 28."

As the shift towards outpatient care continues to reshape the orthopedic surgery landscape, Zimmer Biomet's strategic partnerships and acquisitions position the company to capitalize on this growing market segment, potentially setting the stage for significant growth in the coming years.