V-Wave’s shunt is an implantable device designed to decrease elevated left atrial pressure seen in congestive heart failure. Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Israeli company V-Wave , which has developed an innovative treatment for patients with heart failure. Johnson & Johnson will make an upfront payment of $600 million, with the potential for additional regulatory and commercial milestone payments that could increase the deal to $1.
1 billion. V-Wave will join Johnson & Johnson as part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech. The deal is due to be closed by the end of 2024.
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. V-Wave was founded in 2010 by Yaacov Nitzan, Dr. Ascher Shmulewitz and Dr.
Gad Keren. In 2013 the company completed animal trials of its shunt and in 2014 the first human implants were undertaken. In 2016 the company raised $70 million in a financing round led by Johnson & Johnson and Edwards.
The company is led by CEO Dr. Neal Eigler, president and head of European operations Erez Rozenfeld and chairman Dr. Frank Litvack.
In 2020 the company raised a further $28 million led by Deerfield Management with the participation of Endeavour Vision, BRM, Aper.