Hocoma AG has merged with DIH International

Hocoma AG, a global leader in robotic and sensor-based rehabilitation solutions, has merged with DIH International (DIH), a Hong Kong-based corporate holding group with offices in China, Korea, the Netherlands and the USA. Financial details have not been disclosed.

Hocoma was founded in 1996 by two electrical and biomedical engineers, Gery Colombo and Matthias Jörg, and by the economist Peter Hostettler. The Swiss-based medical technology company works closely with leading clinics and research centers to develop innovative therapies. The company currently has over 160 employees, who work at its headquarters near Zurich and subsidiaries in the US, Singapore and Slovenia.

DIH focuses on rehabilitation solutions and medication management. Its robotic and sensor-based devices are used in applications ranging from intensive gait therapy and functional therapy for the upper extremities to robotic mobilization and functional electrical stimulation in early rehabilitation. Prior to the Hocoma merger, DIH acquired two Dutch companies, Motekforce Link, a leader in virtual rehabilitation, and FysioRoadmap MRS, which specializes in web-based clinical programs and data integration. All told, DIH has nearly a thousand employees in locations including Amsterdam, Seoul and Beijing.

With regard to the merger, “For Hocoma, this is the next big step into the future,” says Gery Colombo, the company’s CEO. “Due to an aging society, the rehabilitation market is one of the biggest growth markets in the health industry. Now, we can offer clinicians the best solutions for their patients—as a holistic, full service provider of the entire rehabilitation continuum.”

"The combination – adds Jason Chen, CEO of DIH – enables us to establish a global premiership in providing total solutions to customers with cutting edge technologies in robotics, VR, sensing and automation.”

Oaklins’ team in Switzerland advised Hocoma’s owners before and during the sales process, the negotiations with selected parties and the eventual merger with DIH.