Johnson & Johnson to Withdraw LINX Reflux Management Device from Markets Outside the U.S.

Patients living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often struggle with daily pain, discomfort, and complications that medications don’t always solve. For years, one of the leading alternatives has been the LINX Reflux Management System, a device made of a small, flexible ring of magnets that reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to prevent stomach acid from moving back into the esophagus.

But this month, major news broke: Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced plans to withdraw the LINX system from markets outside the United States (OUS) beginning in March 2026. The decision is not based on safety or efficacy, but rather on what J&J has called a “commercial decision” after evaluating market conditions.

What Is the LINX Reflux Management System?

The LINX system is designed as a flexible ring of magnets that sits around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve-like muscle at the base of the esophagus that normally prevents acid from traveling upward. In people with GERD, this muscle weakens, allowing painful and potentially damaging reflux to occur.

By reinforcing the LES, the LINX device addresses the mechanical cause of GERD, rather than just the chemical environment. This makes it an alternative to long-term proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or other acid-suppressing medications, which only reduce acid levels but do not fix the weakened sphincter.

LINX has been widely praised as a “default procedure” by some surgeons because it can offer patients long-lasting relief without the side effects associated with continuous medication.

Why Is Johnson & Johnson Withdrawing LINX from OUS Markets?

According to a letter sent to doctors and later reported by Bloomberg and Reuters, J&J’s Ethicon unit (which acquired the LINX system through its purchase of Torax Medical in 2017) has decided to stop selling LINX outside the U.S. after March 2026. J&J has determined that it cannot effectively serve certain international markets at the scale required to make LINX sustainable

A J&J spokesperson stated the decision followed a “thorough evaluation of market conditions and ability to effectively serve each market”(Reuters, 2025). The company has not yet specified which countries are affected but confirmed the withdrawal is strictly a business decision.

What Does This Mean for Patients?

For patients in the U.S., LINX remains available. It was also recently granted expanded labeling by the FDA. This will allow more patients to benefit from the device. However, outside the U.S., the withdrawal leaves a major gap in treatment options.

With no direct replacement on the market, surgeons and patients with GERD will need to rely on:

• Long-term use of PPIs or other medications

• More invasive surgical procedures such as Nissen fundoplication

• Lifestyle and dietary changes that often provide limited relief

For patients already implanted with the LINX device, there is no indication that the device is unsafe. J&J has made clear the withdrawal is not due to performance issues. The device has been shown effective in treating GERD, even in patients with Barrett’s esophagus.

Still, patients may feel uncertain about the long-term support available for LINX implants outside the U.S. Particularly regarding replacement parts, monitoring, and surgeon expertise as the device is phased out in international markets.

History of the LINX Device

It’s also important to note that this isn’t the first time the LINX device has faced serious scrutiny. In 2018, thousands of LINX systems were recalled after reports that the magnetic beads could separate from the wire links holding them together — a failure that could leave patients with renewed GERD symptoms, swallowing difficulties, or even internal damage. While the current withdrawal is being framed as a business decision, it raises valid questions about what long-term support, monitoring, and accountability will look like for patients who already rely on this device. When market priorities shift, patients are often left wondering: Who will protect us when the device we depend on is no longer supported?

The Bigger Picture: Medical Devices and Market Decisions

The LINX withdrawal highlights a larger issue. Patients often depend on medical devices that can be discontinued not because they fail medically, but because they fail commercially.

This is not the first time patients have been affected by sudden changes in availability or warnings about medical devices. From cardiac implants to orthopedic products, recalls and withdrawals are part of a troubling pattern in the medical device industry. Patient access and safety are often caught in the balance of corporate priorities.

At KBD Attorneys, we have write extensively about these issues. From pacemaker recalls to transvaginal mesh lawsuits — and we continue to monitor the impact on patients who may be left vulnerable when there is a new device withdrawal or recall.

What KBD Attorneys Can Do to Help

While J&J has stated the LINX withdrawal is not related to safety concerns, patients who rely on medical devices know too well that defective or unsupported products can lead to devastating consequences. A device that fails, causes injury, or is no longer with support can create new medical challenges, financial burdens, and emotional stress.

At KBD Attorneys, we fight for patients harmed by defective medical devices. We have a dedicated medical device litigation page that covers recalls, lawsuits, and patient rights. Our mission is to hold corporations accountable when they put profits over people.

If you or a loved one has concerns about the LINX reflux system or any other implanted device, our team can:

• Evaluate whether your injuries or complications may be linked to a defective or unsupported device

• Help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation

• Stand by your side in holding companies accountable for unsafe or harmful products

Conclusion

The news that Johnson & Johnson will withdraw the LINX Reflux Management System from OUS markets by March 2026 underscores the vulnerability of patients who depend on medical devices. While the company insists the withdrawal is not about safety, the impact on patients and international healthcare providers is undeniable.

As with all medical device developments, the story of LINX reminds us that patients deserve safe, effective, and reliable treatments — and legal recourse when those standards are not met.

At KBD Attorneys, we remain committed to protecting patient rights in the face of corporate decisions, recalls, and defective medical devices.

Contact us today if any medical device has affected you negatively.

Sources:

• MassDevice. Johnson & Johnson reportedly set to pull Linx reflux management device from OUS markets. September 19, 2025. Link

• Seeking Alpha. Johnson & Johnson to withdraw LINX reflux management system from non-U.S. markets. September 19, 2025. Link

• Reuters. J&J to withdraw acid reflux device from certain markets outside US. September 23, 2025. Link