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Zimmer Biomet Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Paragon 28

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Demonstrates Zimmer Biomet’s Commitment to Investing in Higher Growth
End-Markets, with Expansion into ~$5 Billion Foot and Ankle Segment

Expected to Enhance Zimmer Biomet’s Financial Profile; Immediately Accretive to Revenue Growth and Accretive to Adjusted EPS within 24 Months of Deal Close

WARSAW, Ind. and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZBH), a global medical technology leader, and Paragon 28, Inc. (NYSE: FNA), a leading medical device company focused exclusively on the foot and ankle orthopedic segment, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Zimmer Biomet to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Paragon 28 for an upfront payment of $13.00 per share in cash, corresponding to an equity value of approximately $1.1 billion and an enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion. Paragon 28 shareholders will also receive a non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR) entitling the holder to receive up to $1.00 per share in cash if certain revenue milestones are achieved. The CVR will be payable in whole or in part if net sales exceed $346 million up to $361 million (with the CVR payments calculated linearly between $0.00 and $1.00 if net sales are between $346 million and $361 million) during Zimmer Biomet’s fiscal year 2026. The board of directors of each of Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28 has unanimously approved the proposed transaction.

Established in 2010, Paragon 28 has an extensive suite of surgical offerings and product systems spanning all major foot and ankle segments, including fracture and trauma, deformity correction and joint replacement. Since its inception, Paragon 28 has been singularly focused on bringing to market innovative solutions to address areas of unmet need in the foot and ankle segment. 

“This proposed transaction further diversifies Zimmer Biomet’s portfolio outside of core orthopedics and positions us well in one of the highest growth specialized segments in musculoskeletal care, while creating cross-selling opportunities in the rapidly growing ASC space,” said Ivan Tornos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zimmer Biomet. “Paragon 28’s broad and innovative foot and ankle portfolio, robust product pipeline and dedicated and highly trained sales force, combined with Zimmer Biomet’s global reach and capabilities, will uniquely position us to address the unmet patient needs of this highly complex anatomy.”

“We are incredibly proud of the legacy we have built at Paragon 28 as an industry leader committed to continuously improving the outcomes and experiences of patients suffering from foot and ankle conditions,” said Albert DaCosta, Chairman and CEO of Paragon 28. “Joining Zimmer Biomet is an exciting new chapter for Paragon 28 and an incredible opportunity to advance our mission and continue to deliver groundbreaking solutions in the foot and ankle segment.”

Benefits of the Proposed Transaction

Strengthens and expands Zimmer Biomet’s foot and ankle offerings through Paragon 28’s leading technology platform while bolstering existing fracture & trauma and joint replacement portfolios.

Complements Zimmer Biomet’s global footprint and existing infrastructure with Paragon 28’s expansive portfolio, which is expected to drive adoption and accelerate U.S and international growth.

Accelerates Zimmer Biomet’s WAMGR given significant opportunity across a ~$5 billion foot and ankle industry growing high-single digits.

Expedites penetration opportunities in the fast-growing ASC space.

Proposed Transaction Highlights

The proposed transaction is expected to immediately accelerate Zimmer Biomet’s revenue growth. Paragon 28 has announced net revenue for the full year of 2024 to be in a range of $255.9 to $256.2 million, representing 18.2% to 18.4% reported growth over the prior fiscal year. Zimmer Biomet expects the proposed transaction, considering the impact of financing, to be approximately 3% dilutive to adjusted earnings per share in 2025, about 1% dilutive to 2026 adjusted earnings per share and accretive to adjusted earnings per share within 24 months of deal close.

Zimmer Biomet plans to fund the proposed transaction through a combination of cash on the balance sheet and other available debt financing sources. Zimmer Biomet expects to maintain a strong balance sheet and to continue to support its stated capital allocation priorities.

Closing of the proposed transaction is subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals, approval by Paragon 28 stockholders and other customary closing conditions, and is anticipated to close in the first half of 2025. Expected impacts to 2025 financial results will be discussed on Zimmer Biomet’s upcoming fourth quarter 2024 earnings call scheduled for February 6, 2025.

Advisors

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Zimmer Biomet and Hogan Lovells US LLP is serving as legal advisor.

Piper Sandler & Co. is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Paragon 28 and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is serving as legal advisor.

About Zimmer Biomet
Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. We seamlessly transform the patient experience through our innovative products and suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence.

With 90+ years of trusted leadership and proven expertise, Zimmer Biomet is positioned to deliver the highest quality solutions to patients and providers. Our legacy continues to come to life today through our progressive culture of evolution and innovation. 

For more information about our product portfolio, our operations in 25+ countries and sales in 100+ countries or about joining our team, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/zimmerbiomet or X/ Twitter at www.twitter.com/zimmerbiomet.

About Paragon 28
Based in Englewood, CO., Paragon 28 is a leading medical device company exclusively focused on the foot and ankle orthopedic segment and is dedicated to improving patient lives. From the onset, Paragon 28 has provided innovative orthopedic solutions, procedural approaches and instrumentation that cover a wide range of foot and ankle ailments including fracture fixation, forefoot, ankle, progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) or flatfoot, Charcot foot and orthobiologics. The company designs products with both the patient and surgeon in mind, with the goal of improving outcomes, reducing ailment recurrence and complication rates, and making the procedures simpler, consistent, and reproducible. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28, which involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “are confident that,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things, statements about the potential benefits of the proposed transaction; anticipated accretion and growth rates; plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations and intentions of the board of directors of Zimmer Biomet, Zimmer Biomet management, the board of directors of Paragon 28 and Paragon 28 management; the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28; the possibility that the milestone associated with the contingent value rights are achieved in part or at all; and the anticipated timing of closing of the proposed transaction.

These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28 in light of Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28’s experience and Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28’s perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28 believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These forward-looking statements also are based on the current expectations and beliefs of the respective managements of Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28 and are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (i) risks related to the satisfaction of the conditions to closing the proposed transaction (including the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals) in the anticipated timeframe or at all, including uncertainties as whether the stockholders of Paragon 28 will approve the proposed transaction and the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close; (ii) risks related to the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals for Paragon 28 will be made; (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive transaction agreement relating to the proposed transaction, including in circumstances which would require Paragon 28 to pay a termination fee; (iv) risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the proposed transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; (v) the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; (vi) risks relating to the achievement, in part or at all, of the revenue milestone necessary for the payment of any contingent value rights; (vii) disruption from the proposed transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships, including with customers, vendors, service providers, independent sales representatives, agents or agencies, and Paragon 28’s ability to attract, motivate or retain key executives, employees and other associates; (viii) risk related to the proposed transaction diverting Zimmer Biomet’s and/or Paragon 28’s managements’ attention from the ongoing business operations of their respective business; (ix) negative effects of this announcement or the consummation of the proposed transaction on the market price of Zimmer Biomet and/or Paragon 28’s common stock and on Zimmer Biomet and/or Paragon 28’s operating results; (x) significant transaction costs; (xi) unknown liabilities; (xii) the risk of litigation, including shareholder litigation, and/or regulatory actions, including any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on approvals by any applicable governmental entities, related to the proposed transaction; and (xiii) (A) other risks and uncertainties discussed in Zimmer Biomet’s and Paragon 28’s respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K or Form 10-K/A, as applicable, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and their subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (in particular, the risk factors set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in such Annual Reports and Quarterly Reports), and (B) other risk factors identified from time to time in other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Filings with the SEC are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The list of factors that may affect actual results and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative and is not intended to be exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28 undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements as the result of new information or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this communication or to reflect actual outcomes, expect as required by law, and expressly disclaim any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances.

Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, Paragon 28 intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to Paragon 28’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF PARAGON 28 ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS AND ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (if and when they are available) and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, and on Paragon 28’s website at www.paragon28.com. In addition, the proxy statement and other documents may be obtained free of charge by directing a request to Paragon 28, Inc., Robert McCormack, 14445 Grasslands Drive, Englewood, Colorado, telephone: (720) 912-1332.

Participants in the Solicitation

Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28 and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Paragon 28 in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding Zimmer Biomet’s directors and executive officers can be found in Zimmer Biomet’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024 and subsequent statements of beneficial ownership on file with the SEC. Information regarding Paragon 28’s directors and executive officers can be found in Paragon 28’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024 and subsequent statements of beneficial ownership on file with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, on Zimmer Biomet’s website at www.zimmerbiomet.com and on Paragon 28’s website at www.paragon28.com. Additional information regarding the interest of Paragon 28’s participants in the solicitation of Paragon 28′ stockholders, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Paragon 28’s stockholders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement related to the proposed transaction described above and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC if and when they become available.

Zimmer Biomet:

Media
Heather Zoumas-Lubeski
445-248-0577
heather.zoumaslubeski@zimmerbiomet.com

Kirsten Fallon
781-779-5562
kirsten.fallon@zimmerbiomet.com

Investors
David DeMartino
646-531-6115
david.demartino@zimmerbiomet.com

Zach Weiner
908-591-6955
zach.weiner@zimmerbiomet.com

Paragon 28
Media and Investors
Matt Brinckman
720-912-1332
mbrinckman@paragon28.com

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SOURCE Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

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stc group unveils its vision for AI-native networks at Network X 2026

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — stc group, Saudi Arabia’s leading digital enabler, has released its AI Native Core Network White Paper during Network X 2026 outlining how it plans to evolve towards an AI-native telecom network by 2030. The paper explains how the group aims to embed AI directly into its network’s design and operations to support emerging digital services and improve reliability.

stc group continues to advance its network capabilities to support AI-driven applications and changing connectivity needs. The group is upgrading its core network, which manages user connections and delivers communications services. By integrating AI deeply into this infrastructure, stc group aims to help the network adapt to changing service requirements and resolve issues with less manual intervention.

The white paper highlights how advances in AI and 5G-Advanced, the next stage of 5G, are increasing network complexity. Services such as AI-enabled calling and immersive communications require faster, more responsive connectivity. AI agents, software systems that carry out tasks on users’ behalf, also need networks to coordinate communications and computing resources around each task.

To address these requirements, the paper sets out stc’s approach spanning AI-native infrastructure, network functions and autonomous operations. It details how the group plans to develop the infrastructure needed to run AI, embed intelligence within network functions and automate more operations. These capabilities would help the network allocate resources more efficiently and recover from faults faster, while allowing engineers to focus on service improvement and oversight.

The release of this whitepaper marks an important milestone in stc group’s network evolution, building a scalable foundation for future AI services, AI agents, intelligent interaction scenarios, and next-generation 5G-A and 6G applications. Building on its existing investments, the group aims to improve network reliability, support the next generation of digital services and accelerate the industry’s transition from Cloud Native to AI Native networks.

About stc group: 

stc group is a digital enabler, offering advanced solutions and driving a role in the digitalization process. The group provides a comprehensive suite of services encompassing digital infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), digital payments, digital media, and digital entertainment. The group comprises 13 subsidiaries across The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. 

To know more about stc group: Click here  

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/stc-group-unveils-its-vision-for-ai-native-networks-at-network-x-2026-302912389.html

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Shoplazza Collaborates with TikTok to Bring Product Discovery Closer to Purchase

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The collaboration supports TikTok’s new agentic commerce experiences, with a focus on helping merchants turn customer interest into sales.

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Shoplazza, an AI-native commerce operating system, recently announced it is working with TikTok to support new agentic commerce shopping experiences. The collaboration reflects a shared focus on shortening the path from product discovery to purchase and helping merchants make more of the demand their content and advertising generate.

TikTok introduced Buy Direct and Shopping Assistant on October 5, naming Shoplazza among its commerce and payment partners. Buy Direct lets consumers buy directly from brands within TikTok, without being redirected to an external storefront. It uses Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to connect with merchant systems, while brands remain the Merchant of Record.

Shopping Assistant answers product questions using merchant-supplied information on product pages within TikTok’s in-app browser. Shoppers can get the details they need before proceeding to checkout on the merchant’s website within the same browser.

For merchants, a shorter purchase journey can help protect the value of their customer acquisition spending. Redirects and repeated forms add friction just as a shopper is ready to buy. Losing that purchase means losing potential revenue after already paying to attract the customer.

“As platforms automate more decisions, performance increasingly depends on how well data, creative and checkout work together,” said Chao Xu, Director at Shoplazza. “TikTok’s new shopping experiences make it easier to buy while interest is fresh, helping merchants turn that interest into revenue and use each transaction to inform smarter marketing decisions.”

Shoplazza sees these developments as part of a broader convergence between advertising platforms and commerce infrastructure. From transaction data sharing and Instant Pages to Buy Direct, the opportunity is to help algorithms understand completed purchases more accurately while making it easier for shoppers to follow through.

The collaboration builds on an established relationship. Shoplazza’s merchant admin already supports catalog syncing, TikTok Pixel and Events API setup. In May, it was the sole winner of the TikTok Partner Innovation Award for Innovation in Marketing Technology – Commerce. In July, it joined the first group of TikTok for Business Agentic Hub partners, introducing AI Skills that connect store data and business insights with TikTok’s advertising intelligence.

About Shoplazza

Shoplazza is a global AI-native commerce operating system that enables brands to build, launch, and scale their online businesses. Built on an AI agent-native framework, Shoplazza integrates storefronts, marketing, payments, and operational workflows into a unified system designed to support scalable, long-term growth across global markets. Learn more at https://www.shoplazza.com/.

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SOURCE Shoplazza

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Lexsoft Systems Partners With Clio to Bring Clio’s Legal AI Platform to Law Firms and Legal Departments Across EMEA

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Lexsoft will deliver Clio products, including Clio Work and Clio Manage, and integrate them into the systems its clients already use

LONDON and MADRID, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lexsoft Systems, a provider of IT and business process solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Clio, the global leader in legal AI. Through this EMEA-wide partnership, Lexsoft will deliver Clio’s platform to law firms and corporate legal departments, and integrate it with the other business-critical systems those clients run.

This agreement strengthens Lexsoft’s position as an independent legal solutions provider, and reinforces its growing presence in the UK and across Europe. It also supports the continued expansion of its carefully selected product portfolio of best-practice, global market-leading legal systems. 

Clio brings together the context of a firm’s work with trusted legal intelligence. Clio Work can draw on the matters, clients, documents, and other information already in Clio Manage, then ground that work in Clio’s global library of more than 1 billion legal documents to support research, analysis, and drafting. For Lexsoft’s global clients, that means AI designed for legal work that understands both the firm and the law.

“A practice management system is the originating point for most major legal processes — from document management and time recording through to security measures such as ethical walls,” says Carlos García-Egocheaga, CEO of Lexsoft Systems. “Until now, we’ve been reluctant to commit to a single partner, despite a wide choice of technologically robust and functionality-rich practice management systems on the market. But with the Clio platform, we’re offering customers more than practice management. Clio Manage takes practice management to a new level, from user experience to advanced functionality. Clio Work, Clio’s legal AI workspace, helps lawyers research, strategise and draft alongside Clio’s global library of legal documents. By integrating these capabilities into customers’ existing systems, we can deliver AI that works the way they do. We’re excited about the value this partnership enables us to deliver to our customers, large and small.”

The partnership lets Lexsoft build tailored environments around Clio, with deep integrations into the other systems its clients run. It helps firms across EMEA move beyond adoption of AI tools to deeper integration and a more fundamental transformation of how legal work gets done.

“Firms across Europe want AI in their daily work, and it only earns its place when it understands the context behind that work,” says Lisa Del Real, Vice President, Channel Partnerships at Clio. “Lexsoft has built its business on connecting the systems law firms and legal departments depend on. Through this partnership, Lexsoft’s clients can run Clio Manage and Clio Work on one shared foundation, so the context of each matter carries from the business of the firm into the legal work itself. They also get an implementation team that already knows how they work.”

Lexsoft is offering Clio’s products to law firms and corporate legal departments in EMEA immediately.

About Lexsoft Systems

Lexsoft provides IT and business process solutions to the legal sector across Europe, the United States, and Latin America. ISO 27017 and ISO 27001 certified, the company assists law firms and corporate legal departments (CLD) to improve their document management, knowledge management, practice management, and CRM processes, to facilitate business efficiency, improve productivity, and reduce risk. Lexsoft T3 is a proven knowledge management solution, offering one of the most comprehensive workflows for this business function. For more information, visit: www.lexsoft.com.

About Clio

Clio is the global leader in legal AI, empowering legal professionals and law firms of every size to work smarter, faster, and more securely. Purpose-built for the legal industry, Clio’s Intelligent Legal Work Platform streamlines workflows, improves decision-making, and combines powerful technology with industry-leading security. Trusted by hundreds of thousands of legal professionals in more than 130 countries, and approved by over 100 bar associations and law societies worldwide, Clio sets the standard for innovation and client success across the legal profession. Backed by world-class investors and a mission to transform the legal experience for all, Clio is defining the future of legal work through AI. Learn more at www.clio.com.

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