Edwards Lifesciences agrees to acquire JenaValve, Endotronix for $1.2B
Edwards Lifesciences has made a significant splash in the structural heart space, agreeing to acquire both JenaValve and Endotronix for a combined total of approximately $1.2 billion.
“These acquisitions expand our opportunities to address the unmet needs of aortic regurgitation and heart failure patients around the world,” Bernard Zovighian, Edwards’ CEO, said in a statement. “We are pleased to enter these structural heart therapeutic areas with innovation, world-class science and clinical evidence to provide access to life-saving technologies for patients around the world.”
In June, Edwards sold its critical care portfolio to BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) for $4.2 billion in cash, highlighting its plan to double down on its commitment to new structural heart technologies; this pair of big-name acquisitions suggests the company already had some plans in place when it finalized that sale to BD.
Edwards Lifesciences to acquire JenaValve
JenaValve, a California-based transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) company, has found considerable success in Europe with its Trilogy Heart Valve System for high-risk patients with symptomatic, severe aortic regurgitation (AR), gaining CE mark approval for the device in May 2021. The company has been working toward gaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Trilogy, and recent data have suggested that moment could come sooner than later.
The JenaValve Trilogy TAVR valve, as seen at TCT 2023.
JenaValve shared its excitement about the acquisition on social media, saying its employees remain focused on developing “the world’s first transcatheter heart valve technology uniquely designed for patients with AR.”
“Together with Edwards, the world’s leader in TAVR, we are now closer to addressing the global unmet need,” the company wrote.
Edwards Lifesciences to acquire Endotronix
Edwards also agreed to acquire Illinois-based Endotronix, a healthcare technology company focused on heart failure that just gained FDA approval for its Cordella Pulmonary Artery Sensor System in late June.
The Cordella platform includes an implantable sensor that tracks the patient’s PA pressure and other helpful health metrics, including blood pressure, pulse, weight and various symptoms. Those data are then used to manage care and make treatment decisions as needed.
Edwards only had to exercise its option to acquire Endotronix after investing early on in the company’s technology. This move is seen as a way to expand its portfolio in a way that includes patients who also suffer from severe heart failure symptoms.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.