Moody's expects the robotic surgery market to grow rapidly in the next year, according to its quarterly report.
Four quick points:
1. The rapid adoption of robotic technology and market growth is expected to benefit Stryker, rated a Baa1 stable, with its Mako platform, as well as Zimmer Biomet (rated Baa3 stable) with its Rosa platform.
2. Stryker has reported nearly 800 Mako robots installed around the world, while Zimmer Biomet has also seen increasing sales of the Rosa robotic platform after it received FDA approval last year.
3. Since robotic platforms are closed systems, meaning surgeons can only use one company's implants with the platform, they present a large opportunity for orthopedic device companies to grow.
4. Stryker acquired Wright Medical last year, and although the sale isn't final yet, the ability to use robotics for extremities procedures is a longer-term opportunity, according to the report.
"While Stryker has a meaningful head start in robotics, we believe Zimmer will be able to grow this business, partly due to the high level of physician loyalty for Zimmer," Moody's states in the report.