Boston Scientific closes Bolt Medical acquisition, bolsters intravascular lithotripsy portfolio

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Key Takeaways

Boston Scientific acquired Bolt Medical to expand its cardiovascular portfolio with IVL technology for coronary and peripheral artery disease.
The acquisition deal includes an upfront payment of $443 million, with potential additional payments based on regulatory milestones.
Bolt's IVL system uses acoustic pressure waves to fracture calcium in arteries and has completed pivotal trials for peripheral artery disease.
The IVL system is investigational and not yet cleared for commercial distribution, with ongoing trials for coronary applications.

Under the terms, Boston Scientific will pay about $443 million upfront, plus up to $221 million if regulatory milestones occur.

Credit: Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific announced Tuesday it closed its acquisition of Bolt Medical, a developer of an intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) laser-based platform for the treatment of coronary and peripheral artery disease. The company confirmed the completion of the deal in a post on its LinkedIn page.

“We have successfully closed the acquisition of Bolt Medical. We look forward to advancing the intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) therapy developed by Bolt which will complement our cardiovascular portfolio by expanding treatment options for coronary and peripheral disease,” the LinkedIn statement read.

Boston Scientific announced Jan. 8 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the approximately 74% of Bolt Medical it did not already own. Under the terms, Boston Scientific will pay about $443 million upfront, plus up to $221 million upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones.

"Representing one of the fastest growing medical device segments, intravascular lithotripsy therapy addresses a significant unmet need for patients with complex calcified arterial disease through a minimally invasive approach," said Lance Bates, senior vice president and president, Interventional Cardiology Therapies, Boston Scientific, in a January news release. "Bolt Medical is developing a next-generation technology that is highly complementary to our existing portfolio. The addition of this system to our offerings can help us better serve physicians and their patients and provides a platform for future innovation."

Bolt Medical’s IVL system uses acoustic pressure waves delivered via a balloon catheter to fracture calcium in clogged arteries. The company recently completed two pivotal clinical trials, RESTORE ATK and RESTORE BTK, evaluating the system for peripheral artery disease. It also received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to begin the FRACTURE IDE clinical trial investigating the coronary application of its IVL technology.

The Bolt IVL system remains investigational and has not yet cleared for commercial distribution.