Wright buys Metasurg products

$2.5M deal fits 'one-stop shop' foot, ankle marketing strategy

The Commercial Appeal
October 24, 2007
By Daniel Connolly

Arlington-based medical device maker Wright Medical Group is paying $2.5 million for foot and ankle surgery products from Houston-based Metasurg.

Wright said it could pay more, depending on the performance of the assets.

Wright said the products are related to Metasurg's Bio-Arch brand implant, which is used in surgical correction of flat feet.

Wright is the smallest of the "big three" medical device makers in the Memphis area, and its executives have said they wish to become the world's No. 1 company in the niche market of foot and ankle surgery products.

"Wright's vision is to become the 'one-stop shop' for foot and ankle surgeons' surgical needs, and providing comprehensive suites of products around specific pathologies is central to achieving this goal," said John T. Treace, vice president of marketing for Wright's biologic and extremity products.

Earlier this year Wright announced a $17 million purchase of the foot and ankle division of West Virginia's Darco International Inc. and an $8 million purchase of products made by Pennsylvania-based R&R Medical Inc. They were the company's first acquisitions in years.

And earlier this month Wright announced that it has entered an exclusive license and distribution agreement with Smithtown, N.Y.-based A.M. Surgical, Inc., another foot and ankle surgery firm.

- Daniel Connolly: 529-5296

WRIGHT MEDICAL GROUP INC.
Headquarters: 5677 Airline Road, Arlington
Top person: Gary D. Henley, president, chief executive officer
Worldwide employees: About 1,100
Area employees: About 700
Web site: wmt.com