Brainlab Announces Spin-off of Snke

Brainlab AG, a global medtech company with a strong focus on software development and artificial intelligence, today officially announced the spin-off of the Snke Group. The company operates as Snke and continues to deliver next-generation products and services that tightly integrate medical research, education and treatment. This strategic realignment of its portfolio creates a more focused direction for Brainlab to pursue its growth strategy effectively. At the same time, this shift creates an independent player in the healthtech space, allowing Snke to focus on expanding market access and driving greater adoption of its technology through increased industry collaboration.

Snke, led by Stefan Vilsmeier, acts as a trusted orchestration layer that connects data points from various stakeholders, products and services. In this way, Snke bridges the traditionally separate domains of medical devices and hospital IT fostering efficient, effective and patient-centered care.

“I am very excited about the development of Brainlab and Snke. To continue this path, I have redefined my role in both companies which is intended to allow me to support them even more effectively,” said Stefan Vilsmeier, CEO of Snke and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Brainlab. “Snke is ready to enter and disrupt the market, where dedicated leadership and significant venture investments are required to scale our technology. In this next chapter Snke aims to accelerate its long-term evolution into a leading IT infrastructure provider for hospitals. As both companies have very different risk profiles and business models, this step enables Brainlab, at the same time, to redirect its full focus and means to further driving profitable growth.”

Snke aims to provide technologies to different stakeholders in the healthcare sector. The portfolio consists of edge devices in digital operating rooms, clinical data repositories, AI-enhanced anatomical modeling, structured radiological reporting, immersive visualization and advanced medical simulation, enabling healthcare professionals to apply data driven intelligence to everyday delivery of care. Technologies will be distributed via various channels to diverse audiences and at different development stages to accelerate scalability. Beyond single sites, the Snke data infrastructure will allow seamless collaboration between health data researchers, clinical societies and other stakeholders. Looking ahead, Snke plans to combine deep tech investments, for example, in artificial intelligence for image and video domains, with games engineering approaches and hybrid IT infrastructure deployment strategies. With a focus on scaling data innovation across healthtech, the company aims to broaden its collaborations with industry players. Through strategic collaboration agreements, Brainlab and Snke aim to continue to improve healthcare and make an impact together.

In January 2025, after founding and leading Brainlab for 35 years, Vilsmeier transitioned to Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Rainer Birkenbach, who has worked closely with Vilsmeier since 1994, has taken on the role of CEO at Brainlab.