{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"67833","rtpr_id":"nPNAR30XXa","ticker":"BAX","exchange":"NYSE","all_tickers":["BAX"],"title":"MediThinQ and Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc. Announce Strategic Global Distribution Agreement to Redefine Microsurgery with the SHIYA 3D Visualization Platform","author":"PR Newswire","published_at":"2026-06-18T14:01:01.276Z","article_body":"MediThinQ and Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc. Announce Strategic Global\nDistribution Agreement to Redefine Microsurgery with the SHIYA 3D\nVisualization Platform\nPR Newswire\n\nSEOUL, South Korea, June 18, 2026\n\nMulti-year exclusive agreement to expand access to next-generation 3D surgical\nvisualization worldwide\n\nSEOUL, South Korea, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MediThinQ, a South\nKorea-based innovator in surgical visualization technologies, has entered into\nan exclusive multi-year distribution agreement with Synovis Micro Companies\nAlliance, Inc. (\"Synovis MCA\"), a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc.\n(NYSE:BAX) and trusted leader in microsurgical devices and solutions, to\ncommercialize SHIYA, its 3D surgical visualization platform. Terms of this\nagreement were not disclosed.\n\n\nThe agreement enables the global rollout of SHIYA through Synovis MCA,\nleveraging the company's deep-rooted expertise in microsurgery and its\nlongstanding relationships with leading hospitals and world-renowned\nreconstructive surgeons. With a presence across key international markets and\na reputation built over more than three decades, Synovis MCA provides a highly\nspecialized commercial and clinical platform to accelerate adoption of SHIYA\nworldwide. Synovis MCA is uniquely positioned to support the continued\nevolution of microsurgery from conventional optical microscopes toward\nadvanced digital visualization systems.\n\nFrom Optical Constraints to Data-Enabled Surgical Environments\n\nSurgical visualization has long depended on optical microscopes, requiring\nsurgeons to operate through fixed eyepieces. While effective, this approach\ncan constrain posture, limit visibility across the surgical team, and restrict\nhow procedures are captured, analyzed, and taught.\n\nMediThinQ developed SHIYA to address these limitations through a fully digital\nsurgical platform. The system combines a high-resolution digital exoscope with\nup to 20x magnification and its proprietary wearable display, SCOPEYE,\nallowing surgeons to operate without reliance on traditional eyepieces.\n\nBy transitioning from optical to digital visualization, SHIYA enables a\nfundamental shift in how surgical data is generated and used. Unlike optical\nsystems, where visual information is largely confined to the surgeon, digital\nplatforms allow procedures to be captured, stored, and shared in real time.\nThis capability is increasingly seen as foundational for the development of\ndata-driven surgery, including applications in artificial intelligence,\nadvanced analytics, and robotic-assisted procedures.\n\nIn parallel, the heads-up and wearable configuration supports more ergonomic\nsurgical workflows and shared visibility across the operating team. The\nplatform's portability and flexible deployment capabilities also address\naccess challenges associated with conventional microscopes, which remain\ncostly and infrastructure-intensive, particularly in resource-constrained\nsettings.\n\nClinical Validation and Surgical Perspective\n\nTo date, SHIYA has been used in more than 100 procedures globally, with\nfindings supported by peer-reviewed research. A 2025 review article\n(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2025.09.016) published in JPRAS Open, led by\nProf. Joon-pio Hong, Chief Medical Officer of MediThinQ and President of the\nWorld Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, examined the role of digital\nexoscope systems in microsurgery and noted their potential to support emerging\napplications such as augmented and data-assisted surgical techniques.\n\n\nSeparately, a team led by Dr. Hyung Bae Kim, Clinical Assistant Professor in\nthe Department of Plastic Surgery at Asan Medical Center, has published a\npaper (https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000012538) in Plastic and\nReconstructive Surgery (PRS 2026) examining the portability and ergonomic\nadvantages of 3D exoscopes equipped with heads-up displays – SHIYA's core\noffering. Their findings support the viability of such platforms as an\nalternative to the conventional microscope, and point to potential\napplications in supermicrosurgery, telemicrosurgery, as well as\nrobotic-assisted procedures.\n\n\"Digital visualization is not simply an incremental improvement over\nconventional microscopes – it fundamentally changes how surgeons interact\nwith the operative field,\" said Prof. Hong. \"The ability to operate in a\nheads-up position while sharing the same visual field with the entire team has\nimportant implications for precision, training, and surgical ergonomics.\"\n\nDr. Peter Neligan, Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of\nWashington and a globally recognized leader in reconstructive microsurgery,\nhas described SHIYA as \"the future of reconstructive microsurgery.\"\n\nScaling Access to Digital Surgical Visualization\n\nThe collaboration with Synovis MCA provides commercial infrastructure\ncapabilities to scale SHIYA globally, enabling broader adoption of digital\nsurgical visualization across diverse healthcare systems. By leveraging\nSynovis MCA's deep clinical expertise in microsurgery and its trusted\nrelationships with leading surgeons, MediThinQ is well-positioned to\naccelerate adoption and ensure SHIYA meets the real-world needs of complex\nreconstructive procedures. Rather than an immediate worldwide launch, the\nrollout will be phased over time, tailored carefully to specific regulatory\nrequirements and market readiness in each respective country.\n\n\nSeung Joon IM, Founder and CEO of MediThinQ, said the partnership reflects the\noriginal vision behind the company:\n\n\"MediThinQ was founded on the belief that surgeons should not be constrained\nby the limitations of optical systems. This agreement is an important step in\nmaking digital surgical visualization more widely accessible – so that more\nsurgeons, in more settings, can benefit from improved ergonomics, better\nvisibility, and new ways of working.\"\n\nMichael Campbell, President of Synovis MCA, shared his perspective on the\ncollaboration and value of SHIYA:\n\n\"We are honored to work with MediThinQ as their global partner in launching\ntheir breakthrough digital vision technology, SHIYA. SHIYA is aligned to our\nmission of being \"the microsurgeon's most trusted resource\" by delivering\ninnovative solutions that are safer, efficient, and more effective.\n\nWe look forward to building a strong foundation of growth and value supported\nby our core value of trust, mutual respect, high communication and a spirit of\ncooperation. Together we are creating the future of microsurgery.\"\n\nMediThinQ is also advancing a broader concept of \"3D Surgical Intelligence\"\naimed at integrating visualization, data capture, and analytics into a\nconnected surgical environment.\n\nAbout MediThinQ\n\nMediThinQ is a South Korea-based medical technology company developing\nproprietary imaging technologies that enable the digital transformation of\noperating rooms. Through its wearable display solution SCOPEYE and digital\nexoscope SHIYA, the company delivers immersive and ergonomic surgical\nenvironments designed to enhance precision, collaboration, and workflow\nefficiency. MediThinQ continues to expand its global regulatory footprint,\nhaving secured relevant product approvals in key global markets including the\nUnited States, Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, the United Kingdom,\nAustralia, and Taiwan based on respective market configurations.\n\nAbout Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc.\n\nSynovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc. (Synovis MCA), a subsidiary of Baxter\nInternational Inc., is a leading provider of advanced technologies and devices\ndedicated to reconstructive microsurgery. The company's mission is to be the\nmicrosurgeon's most trusted partner by delivering innovative, high-quality\nsolutions that support precision, efficiency, and improved patient outcomes in\ncomplex procedures. Through its globally recognized product portfolio and\nstrong relationships with surgeons and hospitals worldwide, Synovis MCA\ncontinues to advance the field of microsurgery and enable clinicians to\ndeliver life-enhancing care.\n\n \n\n \n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/medithinq-and-synovis-micro-companies-alliance-inc-announce-strategic-global-distribution-agreement-to-redefine-microsurgery-with-the-shiya-3d-visualization-platform-302803912.html\n\nSOURCE MediThinQ\n\n\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1868724/9c0b83a80a5845faa99c34136e86b3cf.jpg?id=OA2723504\nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1868354/Picture_2.jpg?id=OA2723506\nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1868355/Picture_3.jpg?id=OA2723505\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nPNAR30XXa","title":"MediThinQ and Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc. Announce Strategic Global Distribution Agreement to Redefine Microsurgery with the SHIYA 3D Visualization Platform","author":"PR Newswire","ticker":"BAX","created":"2026-06-18T14:01:01.276Z","tickers":["BAX"],"exchange":"NYSE","article_body":"MediThinQ and Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc. Announce Strategic Global\nDistribution Agreement to Redefine Microsurgery with the SHIYA 3D\nVisualization Platform\nPR Newswire\n\nSEOUL, South Korea, June 18, 2026\n\nMulti-year exclusive agreement to expand access to next-generation 3D surgical\nvisualization worldwide\n\nSEOUL, South Korea, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MediThinQ, a South\nKorea-based innovator in surgical visualization technologies, has entered into\nan exclusive multi-year distribution agreement with Synovis Micro Companies\nAlliance, Inc. (\"Synovis MCA\"), a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc.\n(NYSE:BAX) and trusted leader in microsurgical devices and solutions, to\ncommercialize SHIYA, its 3D surgical visualization platform. Terms of this\nagreement were not disclosed.\n\n\nThe agreement enables the global rollout of SHIYA through Synovis MCA,\nleveraging the company's deep-rooted expertise in microsurgery and its\nlongstanding relationships with leading hospitals and world-renowned\nreconstructive surgeons. With a presence across key international markets and\na reputation built over more than three decades, Synovis MCA provides a highly\nspecialized commercial and clinical platform to accelerate adoption of SHIYA\nworldwide. Synovis MCA is uniquely positioned to support the continued\nevolution of microsurgery from conventional optical microscopes toward\nadvanced digital visualization systems.\n\nFrom Optical Constraints to Data-Enabled Surgical Environments\n\nSurgical visualization has long depended on optical microscopes, requiring\nsurgeons to operate through fixed eyepieces. While effective, this approach\ncan constrain posture, limit visibility across the surgical team, and restrict\nhow procedures are captured, analyzed, and taught.\n\nMediThinQ developed SHIYA to address these limitations through a fully digital\nsurgical platform. The system combines a high-resolution digital exoscope with\nup to 20x magnification and its proprietary wearable display, SCOPEYE,\nallowing surgeons to operate without reliance on traditional eyepieces.\n\nBy transitioning from optical to digital visualization, SHIYA enables a\nfundamental shift in how surgical data is generated and used. Unlike optical\nsystems, where visual information is largely confined to the surgeon, digital\nplatforms allow procedures to be captured, stored, and shared in real time.\nThis capability is increasingly seen as foundational for the development of\ndata-driven surgery, including applications in artificial intelligence,\nadvanced analytics, and robotic-assisted procedures.\n\nIn parallel, the heads-up and wearable configuration supports more ergonomic\nsurgical workflows and shared visibility across the operating team. The\nplatform's portability and flexible deployment capabilities also address\naccess challenges associated with conventional microscopes, which remain\ncostly and infrastructure-intensive, particularly in resource-constrained\nsettings.\n\nClinical Validation and Surgical Perspective\n\nTo date, SHIYA has been used in more than 100 procedures globally, with\nfindings supported by peer-reviewed research. A 2025 review article\n(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2025.09.016) published in JPRAS Open, led by\nProf. Joon-pio Hong, Chief Medical Officer of MediThinQ and President of the\nWorld Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, examined the role of digital\nexoscope systems in microsurgery and noted their potential to support emerging\napplications such as augmented and data-assisted surgical techniques.\n\n\nSeparately, a team led by Dr. Hyung Bae Kim, Clinical Assistant Professor in\nthe Department of Plastic Surgery at Asan Medical Center, has published a\npaper (https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000012538) in Plastic and\nReconstructive Surgery (PRS 2026) examining the portability and ergonomic\nadvantages of 3D exoscopes equipped with heads-up displays – SHIYA's core\noffering. Their findings support the viability of such platforms as an\nalternative to the conventional microscope, and point to potential\napplications in supermicrosurgery, telemicrosurgery, as well as\nrobotic-assisted procedures.\n\n\"Digital visualization is not simply an incremental improvement over\nconventional microscopes – it fundamentally changes how surgeons interact\nwith the operative field,\" said Prof. Hong. \"The ability to operate in a\nheads-up position while sharing the same visual field with the entire team has\nimportant implications for precision, training, and surgical ergonomics.\"\n\nDr. Peter Neligan, Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of\nWashington and a globally recognized leader in reconstructive microsurgery,\nhas described SHIYA as \"the future of reconstructive microsurgery.\"\n\nScaling Access to Digital Surgical Visualization\n\nThe collaboration with Synovis MCA provides commercial infrastructure\ncapabilities to scale SHIYA globally, enabling broader adoption of digital\nsurgical visualization across diverse healthcare systems. By leveraging\nSynovis MCA's deep clinical expertise in microsurgery and its trusted\nrelationships with leading surgeons, MediThinQ is well-positioned to\naccelerate adoption and ensure SHIYA meets the real-world needs of complex\nreconstructive procedures. Rather than an immediate worldwide launch, the\nrollout will be phased over time, tailored carefully to specific regulatory\nrequirements and market readiness in each respective country.\n\n\nSeung Joon IM, Founder and CEO of MediThinQ, said the partnership reflects the\noriginal vision behind the company:\n\n\"MediThinQ was founded on the belief that surgeons should not be constrained\nby the limitations of optical systems. This agreement is an important step in\nmaking digital surgical visualization more widely accessible – so that more\nsurgeons, in more settings, can benefit from improved ergonomics, better\nvisibility, and new ways of working.\"\n\nMichael Campbell, President of Synovis MCA, shared his perspective on the\ncollaboration and value of SHIYA:\n\n\"We are honored to work with MediThinQ as their global partner in launching\ntheir breakthrough digital vision technology, SHIYA. SHIYA is aligned to our\nmission of being \"the microsurgeon's most trusted resource\" by delivering\ninnovative solutions that are safer, efficient, and more effective.\n\nWe look forward to building a strong foundation of growth and value supported\nby our core value of trust, mutual respect, high communication and a spirit of\ncooperation. Together we are creating the future of microsurgery.\"\n\nMediThinQ is also advancing a broader concept of \"3D Surgical Intelligence\"\naimed at integrating visualization, data capture, and analytics into a\nconnected surgical environment.\n\nAbout MediThinQ\n\nMediThinQ is a South Korea-based medical technology company developing\nproprietary imaging technologies that enable the digital transformation of\noperating rooms. Through its wearable display solution SCOPEYE and digital\nexoscope SHIYA, the company delivers immersive and ergonomic surgical\nenvironments designed to enhance precision, collaboration, and workflow\nefficiency. MediThinQ continues to expand its global regulatory footprint,\nhaving secured relevant product approvals in key global markets including the\nUnited States, Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, the United Kingdom,\nAustralia, and Taiwan based on respective market configurations.\n\nAbout Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc.\n\nSynovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc. (Synovis MCA), a subsidiary of Baxter\nInternational Inc., is a leading provider of advanced technologies and devices\ndedicated to reconstructive microsurgery. The company's mission is to be the\nmicrosurgeon's most trusted partner by delivering innovative, high-quality\nsolutions that support precision, efficiency, and improved patient outcomes in\ncomplex procedures. Through its globally recognized product portfolio and\nstrong relationships with surgeons and hospitals worldwide, Synovis MCA\ncontinues to advance the field of microsurgery and enable clinicians to\ndeliver life-enhancing care.\n\n \n\n \n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/medithinq-and-synovis-micro-companies-alliance-inc-announce-strategic-global-distribution-agreement-to-redefine-microsurgery-with-the-shiya-3d-visualization-platform-302803912.html\n\nSOURCE MediThinQ\n\n\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1868724/9c0b83a80a5845faa99c34136e86b3cf.jpg?id=OA2723504\nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1868354/Picture_2.jpg?id=OA2723506\nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1868355/Picture_3.jpg?id=OA2723505\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-06-18T14:01:01.313834537Z","server_sent_at_ms":1781791261313},"received_at":"2026-06-18T14:01:01.375Z","source_url":null},"analysis":{"id":"57249","press_release_id":"67833","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Medical Devices","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":["Financial terms of the distribution agreement were not disclosed","Rollout is phased and dependent on regulatory approvals in each market"],"eventType":"partnership","narrative":"Baxter International (BAX) subsidiary Synovis MCA has signed an exclusive multi-year global distribution agreement with MediThinQ for the SHIYA 3D surgical visualization platform.\n\nThe deal leverages Synovis MCA’s established microsurgery channel and relationships with leading hospitals to commercialize SHIYA, a digital exoscope system that replaces traditional optical microscopes.\n\nSHIYA has already been used in over 100 procedures globally, with clinical validation supporting its ergonomic and data-capture advantages over conventional systems. The rollout will be phased by region based on regulatory readiness.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":true,"suggestedAngle":"Baxter expands microsurgery portfolio via exclusive global deal for digital visualization platform SHIYA."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"procedures_completed":"100+"}},"quotedText":"We are honored to work with MediThinQ as their global partner in launching their breakthrough digital vision technology, SHIYA.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Seung Joon IM","role":"Founder and CEO of MediThinQ"},{"name":"Michael Campbell","role":"President of Synovis MCA"},{"name":"Prof. Joon-pio Hong","role":"Chief Medical Officer of MediThinQ"},{"name":"Dr. Hyung Bae Kim","role":"Clinical Assistant Professor, Asan Medical Center"},{"name":"Dr. Peter Neligan","role":"Professor Emeritus of Surgery, University of Washington"}],"products":["SHIYA","SCOPEYE"],"companies":[{"name":"MediThinQ","relationship":"filer/partner"},{"name":"Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc.","ticker":"BAX","relationship":"distributor/subsidiary of filer"},{"name":"Baxter International Inc.","ticker":"BAX","relationship":"parent company of distributor"},{"name":"Asan Medical Center","relationship":"clinical research partner"},{"name":"University of Washington","relationship":"academic affiliation"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":3,"reasoning":"Strategic global distribution agreement with a subsidiary of Baxter (BAX) for a new digital surgical platform. While terms are undisclosed, the partnership leverages BAX's established microsurgery channel, representing a meaningful commercial expansion for the filer."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"BAX"},"globalImportance":35,"audienceRelevance":40,"eventTypeSecondary":["product_launch"],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"large-cap","eventGravity":"strategic_partnership","sectorWeight":"healthcare","householdBrandBoost":"low","marketCapAdjustment":"neutral"}},"event_type":"partnership","event_type_secondary":["product_launch"],"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":3,"narrative":"Baxter International (BAX) subsidiary Synovis MCA has signed an exclusive multi-year global distribution agreement with MediThinQ for the SHIYA 3D surgical visualization platform.\n\nThe deal leverages Synovis MCA’s established microsurgery channel and relationships with leading hospitals to commercialize SHIYA, a digital exoscope system that replaces traditional optical microscopes.\n\nSHIYA has already been used in over 100 procedures globally, with clinical validation supporting its ergonomic and data-capture advantages over conventional systems. The rollout will be phased by region based on regulatory readiness.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"procedures_completed":"100+"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Seung Joon IM","role":"Founder and CEO of MediThinQ"},{"name":"Michael Campbell","role":"President of Synovis MCA"},{"name":"Prof. Joon-pio Hong","role":"Chief Medical Officer of MediThinQ"},{"name":"Dr. Hyung Bae Kim","role":"Clinical Assistant Professor, Asan Medical Center"},{"name":"Dr. Peter Neligan","role":"Professor Emeritus of Surgery, University of Washington"}],"products":["SHIYA","SCOPEYE"],"companies":[{"name":"MediThinQ","relationship":"filer/partner"},{"name":"Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc.","ticker":"BAX","relationship":"distributor/subsidiary of filer"},{"name":"Baxter International Inc.","ticker":"BAX","relationship":"parent company of distributor"},{"name":"Asan Medical Center","relationship":"clinical research partner"},{"name":"University of Washington","relationship":"academic affiliation"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"qwen3_6_27b_awq","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-06-18T14:01:44.551Z","global_importance":35,"audience_relevance":40,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"large-cap","eventGravity":"strategic_partnership","sectorWeight":"healthcare","householdBrandBoost":"low","marketCapAdjustment":"neutral"}},"durationMs":16693,"modelName":"george-droid-qwen-72b"}}