Boston Scientific has announced a definitive agreement to acquire SoniVie Ltd., a privately held medical device company specializing in ultrasound-based therapies for hypertension.
The deal, valued at up to $540 million, will add SoniVie's TIVUS Intravascular Ultrasound System to Boston Scientific's interventional cardiology portfolio.
The TIVUS system is an investigational device designed for renal artery denervation (RDN), a procedure that targets nerves surrounding the renal arteries to help regulate blood pressure. Unlike traditional radiofrequency-based RDN, the ultrasound-based approach has the potential to penetrate tissue more deeply, which may result in shorter procedures and effective nerve ablation.
“Renal denervation for hypertension is an exciting medical advancement for the millions of patients it may help and is supported by positive results from contemporary clinical trials and ongoing research," said Lance Bates, senior vice president and president of interventional cardiology therapies at Boston Scientific. "We believe the addition of the differentiated, ultrasound-based TIVUS system can complement our expansive interventional portfolio with a minimally invasive therapy for patients with hypertension, and provides opportunity for future advancements in this space."
Boston Scientific, which already holds a 10% stake in SoniVie, will pay approximately $360 million for the remaining 90% of the company. An additional $180 million will be paid upon achieving a regulatory milestone. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary conditions.
While the acquisition is expected to be slightly dilutive to adjusted earnings per share in 2025, Boston Scientific plans to offset the impact through internal cost efficiencies. The company also anticipates a one-time gain upon closing due to its preexisting equity stake in SoniVie.
The TIVUS system remains an investigational device and has not yet received regulatory clearance for commercial use.
