User:Heatherer/Hansjorg Wyss Synthes

Synthes USA
In 1977, Wyss founded and became president of Synthes USA, the U.S. division of Switzerland-based Synthes medical device manufacturer making internal screws and plates for broken bones. In an early initiative, Wyss opened a Synthes USA manufacturing plant in Colorado. Prior to that, another Switzerland company manufactured Synthes' devices and exported them to the U.S. Under Wyss' control, the U.S. division expanded its sales team and trained surgeons how to use its products. Wyss served as Synthes' worldwide CEO and chairman until his resignation as CEO in 2007. He maintained his post as company chairman until Johnson & Johnson acquired Synthes for $19.7 billion, a deal finalized in 2012. During his tenure, Wyss said discussions of new products made up one-third of board meetings.

The U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia indicted Synthes and four executives in 2009 for promoting a material used to fix spinal injuries without Food and Drug Administration approval. Wyss was not named or charged in the indictment, but The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that he was referred to as "Person No. 7", who was involved in early discussions regarding the material.