Boston Scientific acquires SoniVie to advance hypertension treatment

USA – Boston Scientific, a global leader in medical devices, has signed an agreement to acquire SoniVie, an Israeli company specializing in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) technology for treating high blood pressure.

The deal includes an immediate payment of US $360 million and additional milestone-based payments of up to US $180 million, bringing the total transaction value to US $540 million. Boston Scientific already held a 10% stake in SoniVie before the acquisition.

SoniVie has developed a tiny catheter-based ultrasound device designed to selectively disrupt nerve activity around blood vessels.

This technique, called renal denervation, has shown promise in lowering blood pressure by targeting nerves in the renal arteries.

Unlike existing devices that use radiofrequency radiation, SoniVie’s TIVUS (Therapeutic Intravascular Ultrasound) system employs ultrasound energy, which penetrates deeper into tissue, potentially making it more effective and faster.

The TIVUS system is designed to:

• Deliver ultrasound energy through the blood to the renal arteries
• Heat and ablate nerve bundles outside the arteries
• Reduce the release of sympathetic hormones, which contribute to high blood pressure
• Relax blood vessels, leading to lower blood pressure levels

This minimally invasive treatment offers a new alternative for hypertension management, especially for patients who do not respond well to medication.

Clinical trials and FDA approval process

SoniVie has already completed a successful pilot study in the U.S. and Israel, demonstrating positive results.

The company recently launched the THRIVE global IDE pivotal trial, which is expected to provide the necessary data for FDA approval.

If successful, this could pave the way for the widespread adoption of ultrasound-based renal denervation.

Lance Bates, Senior Vice President and President of Interventional Cardiology Therapies at Boston Scientific, emphasized the importance of this breakthrough:

“Renal denervation for hypertension is an exciting advancement that has the potential to help millions of patients. Positive clinical results and ongoing research support this innovation. We believe the addition of the ultrasound-based TIVUS system will complement our portfolio and expand treatment options for hypertension.”

Strategic acquisition and industry impact

Boston Scientific’s acquisition of SoniVie strengthens its position in the interventional cardiology market.

The global demand for hypertension treatments is growing, and renal denervation is emerging as a promising solution.

The deal also reflects a broader trend in the medical device industry, where large companies invest in innovative startups to expand their technology offerings.

SoniVie was founded in 2014 with backing from the Accelmed Fund, led by Uri Geiger. The company’s technology originated from Cardiosonics, which initially focused on treating pulmonary hypertension.

After Cardiosonics faced financial difficulties, SoniVie’s investors acquired and refined the technology, shifting focus to renal denervation—a move that has now resulted in this major acquisition.