Dive Brief:
- Zimmer Biomet said Tuesday it has inked a multi-year extension to its exclusive distribution agreement with Think Surgical.
- The deal, which extends an agreement signed in 2024, positions Zimmer to continue distributing an exclusive version of Think’s TMINI wireless handheld miniature robotic system.
- Zimmer’s exclusive version of TMINI is compatible with its Persona knee system, a personalized product used in total knee replacements.
Dive Insight:
Zimmer sells its own robotic knee system, Rosa. Ivan Tornos, Zimmer’s CEO, explained the rationale for adding another robotic device to the portfolio on an earnings call in 2024, noting that TMINI serves customers who prefer CT scanning capabilities when they perform robotic cases. Tornos named Rosa and TMINI as drivers of the record capital sales that Zimmer recorded in the second quarter of 2026.
Building on that platform, Zimmer has extended its existing agreement with Think. The new agreement covers a multi-year period, although neither company has provided a more exact time frame for the next phase of the relationship.
TMINI “addresses the needs of our customers who want a wireless, handheld robotic system for use with the Persona knee system,” Brad Kessler, president, Americas for robotics, technology and data at Zimmer, said in a statement. Kessler framed the relationship with Think as part of Zimmer’s efforts to have “the broadest and most flexible” robotic portfolio to meet orthopedic surgeons’ diverse preferences.
The extended distribution agreement comes as Think works to drive internal sales of the device. After the robotic system was used in its 5,000th procedure in May, Think went on to raise $65 million of growth capital in July and appointed Rick McDowell as vice president of sales in September.
Think tasked McDowell with leading its national sales organization. The company plans to use the proceeds of its latest financing round to advance its dual-channel commercial strategy. While Zimmer has an exclusive version for its Persona knee system, TMINI is compatible with about 70% of the market share for total knee implants, according to Think.
