Stryker’s spinal implants business in Australia and New Zealand fully transitions to VB Spine and LifeHealthcare continues as exclusive distributor
NEW YORK & SYDNEY--BUSINESS WIRE--
VB Spine LLC (“VB Spine”), a global, family-led spine company dedicated to advancing patient outcomes, announced the completion of the sale of Stryker’s spinal implants business in Australia and New Zealand. This milestone builds upon the formation of VB Spine on April 1, 2025, following the acquisition of Stryker’s U.S. spinal implants business by Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC. It also marks VB Spine’s first market entry outside the United States and establishes a direct presence in two fast-growing markets.
VB Spine continues to have exclusive access to Stryker’s Mako Spine and the Copilot automatic depth stop feature. This strategic partnership creates a strong foundation for VB Spine’s continued growth, providing surgeons greater precision and improving patient outcomes.
“From the start, our vision has been simple: put patients first and innovate boldly,” said Marc Viscogliosi, co-CEO of VB Spine, speaking for his brothers and fellow co-CEOs Anthony and John Viscogliosi. “Today we take that vision global. By combining the passion of our family-run culture with LifeHealthcare’s best-in-class surgeon support, we’re opening a new chapter in spine care defined by access, outcomes, and possibility.”
LifeHealthcare, already the long-standing distributor for these products, will continue as the exclusive partner, providing uninterrupted product availability and clinical support for surgeons and their patients throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Paul Petherbridge, CEO of LifeHealthcare, said, “We are pleased to announce our long-term collaboration with VB Spine. LifeHealthcare has represented this portfolio since 2010, providing clinicians and patients in Australia and New Zealand with reliable access to spinal instrumentation and implants through our experienced team. Our partnership with VB Spine aligns with our mission for Spine in ANZ: ‘What matters to you drives us.’ We look forward to working with the Viscogliosi brothers and the VB Spine team to offer innovative solutions and valuable education to our clinicians.”
Transition highlights
- All current spinal implant SKUs remain available through LifeHealthcare with no service interruption.
- Surgeons and hospitals will continue to work with their local LifeHealthcare representatives.
- VB Spine plans to attend Deformity Down Under (DDU) in Brisbane, which began as a surgeon-led initiative to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and improve outcomes in spine surgery.
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking and are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially due to regulatory, commercial, and operational risks. VB Spine disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Transaction financing
Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC and Viscogliosi Brothers Watermark Holdings LLC are equity investors in VB Spine.
About VB Spine
VB Spine LLC is the largest privately held spine company and among the largest family-owned medical technology companies in the world. With a comprehensive product portfolio and a large and growing global distribution network, VB Spine delivers specialized solutions that address critical needs in spine surgery and enhance patient outcomes. Focused on people, partnerships and operational excellence, VB Spine ensures healthcare professionals have access to the tools and resources needed to provide the highest standard of care. VB Spine is owned and led by the Viscogliosi Brothers. For more information on VB Spine, please visit www.vbspineco.com.
About Stryker
Stryker is a global leader in medical technologies and, together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. We offer innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology and Orthopaedics that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. Alongside our customers around the world, we impact more than 150 million patients annually. More information is available at www.stryker.com.
About LifeHealthcare Distribution Pty Ltd (Australia) and LifeHealthcare Ltd (New Zealand)
LifeHealthcare, an EBOS MedTech company, is committed to providing patients in Australia and New Zealand with access to world-class medical devices and technology. Our goal is to ensure the long-term economic sustainability of the healthcare system. We offer a diverse range of products across various channels for surgical intervention, including but not limited to therapeutic areas such as Spine and Enabling Technology, Orthopaedics (Reconstruction, Extremities, and Regenerative Medicine), Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Neurovascular Intervention, Abdo-Pelvic Surgery, and Neurosurgery, among others. For more information about LifeHealthcare, please visit www.lifehealthcare.com.au or www.lifehealthcare.co.nz.
About Viscogliosi Brothers
Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC is a family-owned New York City-based family office dedicated to driving growth and innovation in the neuro-musculoskeletal industry. Established in 1999, the firm focuses on identifying and building groundbreaking innovations in healthcare, aiming to address unmet clinical needs, enhance patient outcomes, and drive cost efficiency in the healthcare system. Since its inception 26 years ago, Viscogliosi Brothers has founded, financed, operated and grown 43 businesses with operations and distribution across more than 80 countries. These businesses have positively impacted millions of patients with cutting-edge innovations in healthcare. The firm has led the transformation of the spine industry through its multiple businesses specifically including: Spine Solutions, Spine Next, Paradigm Spine, Simplify Medical, Centinel Spine, Companion Spine, Spine BioPharma and Woven Orthopedic Technologies, among others. For more information, visit www.vbllc.com.
About Viscogliosi Brothers Watermark
Viscogliosi Brothers Watermark LLC is a New York City-based holding company specializing in investing in innovation within the MedTech sector. Founded in 2022, VBW is committed to creating alternative wealth for its shareholders while enhancing humanity's well-being. With a portfolio-driven investment mandate and strategic expertise, VBW supports its invested entities through financing and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, visit www.vbwholdings.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250731453696/en/
Contact details:
For media inquiries only:
[email protected]