Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday that it will acquire V-Wave Ltd. for approximately $1.1 billion. V-Wave is a privately held company focused on developing innovative treatment options for patients with heart failure.
Under the terms of the agreement, New Brunswick-based J&J will pay $600 million upfront, subject to customary adjustments, with the potential for additional regulatory and commercial milestone payments up to another $500 million.
V-Wave will join Johnson & Johnson as part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech.
Heart failure is a global health burden associated with impaired quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, increasing health-care costs and high rates of premature death. V-Wave’s cardiovascular implant technology specifically targets heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In HFrEF, a patient’s heart muscle has insufficient ability to pump blood containing oxygen and nutrients to the body.
V-Wave’s Ventura Interatrial Shunt 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 hospitalizations.
“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 recognize 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,” Tim Schmid, executive vice president and worldwide chairman of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, said. “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,” Dr. Neal Eigler, CEO of V-Wave, said. “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.”
The transaction is expected to close before the end of the year, subject to the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
