Boston Scientific has entered an agreement with Siemens Healthineers to push forward commercialisation activities for the latter’s next-generation ACUNAV 4D intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter.
Under the agreement, Boston will become the exclusive ACUNAV distributor in the US and Japan.
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According to Boston, 4D ICE’s usage has been growing in both standalone and concomitant procedures with its Watchman implant, which aims to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) by closing off the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA).
Boston highlighted that most cases using its Watchman device are performed with the assistance of transoesophageal echo (TEE), a process where an ultrasound probe is placed inside the oesophagus to provide detailed images of the heart. It is generally using in confluence with Watchman to help physicians check for blood clots in the LAA which can problematise implantation of Boston’s device.
4D ICE is a newer approach that provides real-time 3D and 4D imaging directly from within the heart while TEE is the more traditional oesophagus-mediated method. For this reason, Boston anticipates that its strategic partnership with Siemens Healthineers will support the growth of its Watchman business. Boston stated that this will be accomplished by helping realise an improved workflow that expands procedural adoption across more sites and reduces barriers for patients while driving operational efficiency for providers.
Once the technology is approved and commercialised, Boston said that Siemens Healthineers catheter will offer physicians an imaging option for standalone Watchman left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedures, or dual Farawatch procedures wherein Boston’s Watchman and the Farapulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system are used concurrently.
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By GlobalDataThe global LAAC devices market is growing at a CAGR of 8.9% and forecast to reach a valuation of around $8.5bn by 2034, up from $3.7bn in 2024, according to GlobalData analysis.
Boston recently lifted its FY2025 outlook off the back of ongoing strong performance in its cardiovascular portfolio, which includes devices such as Watchman and Farapulse.
News of Boston’s collaboration with Siemens Healthineer’s follows Siemens announcement earlier this week that it plans to ‘deconsolidate’ the subsidiary to allow for “greater capital allocation flexibility”. The action means that Siemens will divest its remaining 67% stake in Siemens Healthineers, transferring 30% of the subsidiary’s stock to shareholders by way of a direct spin-off as a ‘preferable option’.
Commenting on the plans, Siemens’ president and CEO Roland Busch said: “This is a logical next step in executing our strategy of combining the real and the digital worlds, focusing on accelerated profitable growth of our digital businesses, connected and software defined hardware and industrial AI.
“Each of the two companies has a strong financial profile offering strategic flexibility to accelerate value creation in their respective core markets through tailored capital allocation – enabling both organisations to operate with greater agility and focus.”
