CooperSurgical: A Timeline of Events
1958: Parker Montgomery founds Cooper Laboratories in California, marking the early roots of what will eventually become CooperSurgical. Over the following decades, Montgomery pursues aggressive acquisitions to build a healthcare conglomerate.
Early 1980s: Cooper Laboratories becomes overextended financially due to rapid expansion.
Late 1980s: Parker Montgomery is ousted from Cooper Laboratories following divestitures.
1990: CooperSurgical is officially formed as a distinct business unit of The Cooper Companies. CooperSurgical acquires Frigitronics, a Connecticut-based maker of cryosurgery devices for gynaecology, providing immediate entry into the women's healthcare market.
1991: Thomas Bender joins The Cooper Companies as chief operating officer and begins a turnaround strategy, focusing the company on medical devices. CooperSurgical purchases Euro-Med, a direct-mail order business supplying gynaecology instruments to physicians, expanding its reach and product offering.
1992: CooperSurgical introduces its own line of electrosurgical instruments and disposable loops for LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure), enabling in-office diagnosis and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions.
1994: Thomas Bender becomes CEO of The Cooper Companies, continuing the focus on core medical device businesses, including CooperSurgical.
1996: CooperSurgical acquires Unimar, Inc., a company with disposable gynaecologic diagnostic products, broadening its range of essential everyday tools for OB/GYN practices.
1997: CooperSurgical acquires Marlow Surgical Technologies, gaining exclusive US distribution of an embryo transfer catheter, the Wallace®, marking its entry into the fertility field.
1998: CooperSurgical introduces Cerveillance, a digital imaging system for gynaecologists to document and track cervical examinations.
1999: CooperSurgical purchases the women's healthcare assets of BEI Medical Systems, Inc., including technologies for endometrial ablation and operative hysteroscopy, expanding its therapeutic offerings for uterine health.
2004: CooperSurgical acquires Milex Products, Inc., a manufacturer of disposable and consumable OB/GYN products like pessaries and diaphragms, significantly expanding its consumables portfolio and expecting to surpass $100 million in revenue.
November 2005: CooperSurgical acquires Inlet Medical, Inc., specialising in laparoscopic surgery devices, including trocar closure systems and kits for pelvic floor disorders.
November 2005: CooperSurgical also acquires NeoSurg Technologies, Inc., which developed a patented reusable/disposable trocar system for laparoscopic access.
2006: CooperSurgical acquires Lone Star Medical Products, Inc., known for its Lone Star® retractor system used in various surgical procedures, including OB/GYN.
2010: CooperSurgical acquires Summit Doppler Systems, a company that made fetal Doppler monitors and vascular Doppler systems, entering the prenatal care diagnostics market.
2012: The Cooper Companies completes the acquisition of Origio A/S, a leading global IVF medical device and media company based in Denmark, marking CooperSurgical's significant entry into the fertility market with a comprehensive range of IVF consumables.
August 2015: CooperSurgical acquires Reprogenetics, the largest laboratory specialising in preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) and diagnosis (PGD) for IVF, positioning itself at the forefront of fertility genomics.
December 2015: CooperSurgical acquires Research Instruments Ltd. (RI), a UK-based manufacturer of advanced IVF equipment, including micromanipulation devices and the RI Witness electronic witnessing system. The deal closes in early 2016.
April 2016: CooperSurgical acquires the assets of Recombine, Inc., a genetics company providing expanded carrier screening for prospective parents, further strengthening its genomic offerings.
May 2016: CooperSurgical acquires K-Systems (Kivex Biotec), a Danish company that pioneered IVF equipment such as bench-top incubators and laminar flow workstations, enabling CooperSurgical to outfit entire IVF laboratories.
Late 2016: CooperSurgical acquires the Wallace® line of IVF catheters and needles from Smiths Medical, bringing the well-regarded embryo transfer products back under its umbrella. The purchase is announced in November 2016.
2017: CooperSurgical acquires ParaGard®, the copper intrauterine contraceptive, from Teva Pharmaceutical for $1.1 billion, significantly expanding its contraception portfolio.
April 2018: CooperSurgical acquires The LifeGlobal Group, another major provider of IVF culture media and lab supplies, further expanding its offerings for embryology laboratories.
May 2018: Albert G. White III becomes CEO of The Cooper Companies.
2019: CooperSurgical acquires AEGEA Medical, adding the Mara® water vapor ablation system for heavy menstrual bleeding to its gynaecological therapeutic options.
July 2020: Holly Sheffield is appointed President of CooperSurgical.
Early 2021: CooperSurgical acquires Safe Obstetric Systems, a UK-based firm known for the Fetal Pillow® device used to ease difficult deliveries during C-sections.
2021: CooperSurgical launches ParaGard with a new single-handed inserter, simplifying the placement process for clinicians.
Early 2021: CooperSurgical acquires Embryo Options®, a digital platform for cryogenic storage billing and consent in fertility clinics.
2021: CooperSurgical acquires Generate Life Sciences, expanding its offerings in fertility and genetic services, including cord blood banking and donor egg services.
2022: CooperSurgical acquires products from Cook Medical’s Reproductive Health business, including the Bakri® Postpartum Balloon for managing postpartum haemorrhage and cervical cerclage devices.
2022: CooperSurgical introduces an improved IUD removal hook designed to snare hard-to-grasp fragments, addressing a clinician need.
Mid-2020s (Ongoing): CooperSurgical continues to focus on innovation, integration of digital health solutions, global expansion, and leveraging advanced technologies like genomics and artificial intelligence to further improve women's health and fertility outcomes. The company emphasises supporting women throughout their life cycle and accelerating what's possible in healthcare delivery.
