3D Systems Agrees to Sell Unit

ROCK HILL, S.C. – 3D Systems said it agreed to sell its medical simulation business, Simbionix, to Surgical Science Sweden AB, a leading supplier of virtual reality simulators for medical training, for a purchase price of $305 million, subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments.

This action will complete 3D Systems’ initiative to divest non-core businesses in order to focus exclusively on its strategic purpose as the leader in enabling additive manufacturing solutions for applications in growing markets that demand high-reliability products. 

“Over the last several months, 3D Systems has divested a number of assets that are not core to our industry-leading additive manufacturing solutions business,” said Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president & CEO, 3D Systems.

“The final of these is our Simbionix business, under the leadership of Ran Bronstein, which has secured a strong position in the medical simulation, training and robotic surgery market. As the Simbionix team now joins forces with Surgical Science, I believe their future will be even brighter, with increased scale and an ability to leverage the core strengths of both businesses in a growing medical simulation market.” Dr. Graves continued,

“The proceeds from this sale, combined with previously announced divestitures, will leave us in a strong position, with a cash balance of approximately $500 million and no debt. Having reorganized the company into two business units -- Healthcare and Industrial Solutions -- and restructured to drive operational efficiencies over the last year, we now move forward expecting strong organic growth and profitability, at both a gross margin and EBITDA margin level, and positive operating cash flow capable of sustaining the investments needed to meet increasing customer demand for additive technology. With our scale, our industry-leading breadth of technology, which spans polymer and metal solutions, and an applications focus that is proving successful in accelerating customer adoption of additive manufacturing, we are very well positioned to remain a leader in the additive manufacturing industry.” 

Earlier this year 3D Systems announced initial investments to bolster its leadership position with the acquisition of Allevi, Inc. and Additive Works to build its bioprinting and software portfolios, respectively. It has also announced planned expansions of its facilities in Rock Hill, S.C., and Littleton, Colo., to address rising customer demand for additive manufacturing technologies. Additionally, the company recently expanded its technology leadership team by welcoming Dr. David Leigh as its new Chief Technology Officer for Additive Manufacturing to expand and accelerate application development and product innovation including all hardware, software, and materials development for production-scale additive manufacturing solutions.

Dr. Leigh’s arrival has enabled 3D Systems’ co-founder, Chuck Hull, to increase his emphasis on biotechnology as chief technology officer for Regenerative Medicine, leading the development of solutions that are creating exciting new opportunities in regenerative medicine.  

Through this transaction, Simbionix will be integrated with Surgical Science to form a market-leading company in the simulation of medical procedures, including advanced robotic surgery. Simbionix complements and strengthens Surgical Science’s position with a broad portfolio of simulators in areas such as general surgery, endovascular procedures, endoscopy, urology, orthopedics, ultrasound, and robotic surgery. Simbionix also brings long-established collaborations with leading medical technology companies and academic institutions that are at the forefront of developing new robotic surgery technology and operating procedures. 

Simbionix reported sales in 2020 of $40.8 million. 3D Systems expects completion of the Simbionix transaction to occur in August 2021.