Royal Philips has entered into an agreement to acquire SpectraWAVE, an innovator in Enhanced Vascular Imaging (EVI) of coronary arteries, angiography-based physiology assessments, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging.
SpectraWAVE, based in Bedford, USA, was founded in 2017 and currently employs more than 70 people. The company has developed the HyperVue imaging system, an intravascular imaging system combining next-generation DeepOCT images and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to support physicians optimising coronary stenting in the cardiac catheterisation lab.
SpectraWAVE’s X1-FFR is an angiography-derived, AI-enabled physiology solution that calculates fractional flow reserve (FFR) from a single coronary angiogram, providing a non-invasive ischemia assessment and turning routine X-ray images into coronary physiology data for simplified percutaneous coronary intervention workflows.
“Our global leadership in image guided therapy is driven by deep clinical collaboration combined with our latest technology insights across hardware, software and AI, to innovate interventional procedures for better and more patient impact. Our world-class portfolio integrates interventional systems and devices into one platform, Azurion, serving patients worldwide.
“We are doubling down on image-guided therapy and expanding our portfolio in the coronary intervention segment with the addition of SpectraWAVE’s AI-powered innovations in high-definition intravascular imaging and angio-based physiological assessment, enabling us to deliver better care for more people,” said Roy Jakobs, chief executive officer of Royal Philips.
“Philips shares our deep conviction that the convergence of intravascular imaging, coronary physiology and AI can fundamentally improve how every patient with coronary disease is treated. This partnership allows us to integrate and scale HyperVue and X1-FFR into the world’s leading image-guided therapy ecosystem, expanding choice for clinicians and supporting more consistent, high-quality care for the millions of patients who depend on coronary intervention each year,” said Eman Namati, chief executive officer of SpectraWAVE.
“With today’s announcement we continue to expand the role of minimally invasive image guided therapy procedures, which are associated with better patient outcomes and improved cost-effectiveness. The acquisition of SpectraWAVE’s next-generation technologies for coronary intravascular imaging and physiological assessment mark a significant step in expanding our portfolio with breakthrough, AI-powered technologies that help clinicians decide, guide, treat and confirm treatment in one setting,” said Bert van Meurs, chief business leader, Image Guided Therapy at Philips.
