Johnson & Johnson has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire V-Wave, a privately-held company focused on developing innovative treatment options for patients with heart failure.
Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will acquire V-Wave for an upfront payment of US$600 million, subject to customary adjustments, with the potential for additional regulatory and commercial milestone payments up to approximately US$1.1 billion. V-Wave will join Johnson & Johnson as part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech.
V-Wave’s cardiovascular implant technology specifically targets heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The Ventura interatrial shunt (IAS) is a novel implantable device designed to decrease elevated left atrial pressure seen in congestive heart failure by creating a shunt between the left and right atrium, thereby reducing cardiovascular events and heart failure hospitalisations.
The device received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakthrough device designation in 2019 and CE mark in 2020 and has the potential to be the first device of its kind to market, Johnson & Johnson said in a press release. Ventura was studies as part of the RELIEVE-HF trial.
Results of the randomised placebo-procedure controlled trial, presented at the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) 2024 annual scientific session (6–8 April, Atlanta, USA), showed that patients who had an interatrial shunt inserted between the left and right atria did not see any significant benefits overall compared with those who received a placebo procedure after a median of 22 months though investigators said that the trial did offer some signals that the benefits and risks of interatrial shunts may vary by heart failure type, specifically HFrEF.
Tim Schmid, the company’s executive vice president and worldwide chairman of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, said: “We are excited to welcome V-Wave to Johnson & Johnson MedTech and to take another meaningful step toward transforming the standard of care for cardiovascular disease. We recognise the importance of identifying more diverse and effective treatments for heart failure, and our recent track record demonstrates our focus on accelerating our impact on the most urgent and pressing unmet needs.
“We know V-Wave well, with our relationship dating back to our original investment in the company in 2016, and we have a deep understanding of the technology and science, as well as the company’s commitment to patients. We look forward to working with the V-Wave team at this pivotal stage of its evolution to bring the Ventura Interatrial Shunt technology to patients.”
“At V-Wave, we are dedicated to achieving our vision to help patients around the world—and we know Johnson & Johnson MedTech shares this mission,” said Neal Eigler, chief executive officer of V-Wave. “We are confident that Johnson & Johnson MedTech is well-positioned to ensure V-Wave’s breakthrough ideas and technology reach patients in need as quickly and effectively as possible. I couldn’t be prouder of the V-Wave team, and the commitment it has taken to achieve this milestone. We look forward to continuing to build a world where cardiovascular disease is prevented, treated, and cured.”
