Philips has signed a deal to acquire enhanced vascular imaging (EVI) product developer SpectraWAVE, expanding the Dutch medtech giant’s minimally invasive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) toolkit for coronary artery disease (CAD) treatment and assessment.
Founded in 2017, US-based Spectrawave’s lead products are the HyperVue Imaging System and X1-FFR. Used in high-definition intravascular imaging and angio-based physiological assessment, the tools will be integrated into Philips’ Azurion image-guided therapy (IGT) platform. Details of the acquisition’s terms have not been publicly disclosed.
HyperVue is an intravascular imaging platform that combines deep optical coherence tomography (deepOCT) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in EVI to provide structural and compositional images of the coronary arteries during PCI.
Meanwhile, X1-FFR is an AI-based tool that calculates fractional flow reserve (FFR) from coronary angiograms. X1-FFR’s ability to provide non-invasive ischemia assessment and turn standard X-ray images into coronary physiology data is intended to simplify PCI workflows.
CAD is the leading cause of death worldwide, with research indicating that there were around 315 million cases of the disease globally in 2022.
Spectrawave’s tools will complement Philips’ existing range of PCI products such as the Eagle Eye Platinum intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter for vascular imaging and OmniWire iFR, a guidewire for assessing blockages during PCI procedures. The additions will be integrated into Philips’ Azurion platform and will help deliver “better care for more people”, according to Philips’ CEO Roy Jakobs.
According to research published in The Lancet in 2024, compared with angiography guidance, intravascular imaging guidance renders PCI safer and more effective.
Commenting on Spectrawave’s acquisition, Bert van Meurs, chief business leader for image-guided therapy at Philips, said: “The acquisition of Spectrawave’s next-generation technologies for coronary intravascular imaging and physiological assessment marks a significant step in expanding our portfolio with breakthrough, AI-powered technologies that help clinicians decide, guide, treat and confirm treatment in one setting.”
According to GlobalData analysis, the use of AI across healthcare is rapidly advancing, with the market projected to reach a $19bn valuation in 2027.
Reflecting its ongoing focus on the deployment of AI-based solutions, Philips announced a $150m investment in August into expanding a pair of US facilities that manufacture its AI-based ultrasound systems and software. According to the company, the investment will chiefly advance the sites’ manufacture of software used in its ultrasound systems in areas such as cardiovascular and maternal care once the expansion is complete.
