Feb 23 2009
Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CoreValve, Inc., developer of a transcatheter, transfemoral aortic valve replacement product. This non-surgical, alternative offers the large number of high or prohibitive surgical risk patients an opportunity to have their aortic valves replaced using a catheter inserted through an artery in the groin. The agreement calls for an initial payment of $700 million plus additional payments contingent upon the achievement of agreed milestones.
“The acquisition of CoreValve gives additional momentum to our strategies for growth and will improve the quality of care for more than 300,000 people worldwide with severe aortic stenosis,” said Bill Hawkins, chairman and CEO of Medtronic. “Our manufacturing and global distribution strengths will accelerate the use of this life-saving technology.”
Jacques Sequin, founder and chairman of CoreValve, added, “We are thrilled to have secured a transaction with Medtronic, which will ensure that more patients have access to this revolutionary technology.” Daniel Lemaitre, president and CEO of CoreValve, commented, “We are proud the CoreValve ReValving system has achieved more than 2,600 implants at 125 centers in 25 countries around the world. The combined Medtronic and CoreValve team has great strength, depth and experience, and we look forward to further success.”
In a separate release, Medtronic announced today it signed an agreement to acquire Ventor Technologies Ltd. Together, these acquisitions represent Medtronic’s commitment to innovation in cardiovascular medicine.