The following will show that Sintx had, at the time of data release in 2017, a strategic partnership with Zimmer Biomet (likely a subsidiary like Biomet) pertaining to development of a hip implant using only Sintx femoral head component. It however did not have a strategic partnership to develop products using its coating technology for hip and knee products. I suspect that the 2.5m dollar payment Zimmer Biomet made Q2 2017 was done to acquire the implant prototype that was created using Sintx femoral head and Biomets liner as Zimmer Biomet would not intend to release a hip implant using Sintx femoral head only. Id bet it would want to keep this prototype for in-house testing purposes. This still begs to question who received the 2.5m for this prototype? That entity, likely an entity connected to one of the Universities involved (University of Missouri?), then used Dr Bals investment firm to loan to Sintx July 2017.
2015 10K
Two of the three quotes show that they do not have a strategic partner to utilize their Si3n4 coated metal components but that they intend to develop their hip & knee products in collaboration with one of their strategic partners. The third quote indicates they have a strategic partner to develop a hip implant using their femoral head as they initiated testing with said partner.
2016 10k
This quote indicates the results of testing of their femoral head with a strategic partner will be released in 2017.
Those results were released testing Sintx Femoral head against Biomet's E1 liners. Thus Zimmer Biomet, or any of its subsidiaries, is Sintx strategic partner in this testing.
2018 10k
This quote indicates that they have a strategic partnership to develop hip implant using Sintx femoral head but not commercialize it yet. However they intend to commercialize the product with ta strategic partner one day.