Boston Scientific finalizes acquisition of Bolt Medical

USA – Boston Scientific has officially announced the completion of its acquisition of Bolt Medical, a strategic move that enhances its cardiovascular portfolio and expands treatment options for coronary and peripheral artery disease.

The news, shared on social media, comes on the heels of the FDA granting 510(k) clearance for the Bolt IVL system on March 25—just two months after its submission on January 27.

Boston Scientific, headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, originally played a pivotal role in the development of the Bolt IVL system.

This early involvement helped establish Bolt Medical in 2019, and the company retained an equity stake of approximately 26% as a strategic investor.

The formal closing of the acquisition marks a significant milestone, as the deal is valued at $600 million upfront on a 100% basis, with the potential for an additional US $300 million contingent on achieving specified regulatory milestones.

In a LinkedIn post, Boston Scientific celebrated the completion of the transaction: “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 IVL technology developed by Bolt Medical employs an advanced laser-based platform to treat calcified lesions in both coronary and peripheral arteries.

The system utilizes acoustic pressure waves generated within a balloon catheter to fracture calcium deposits. In addition, it incorporates visible, directional emitters, ensuring consistent and precise energy delivery during the treatment process.

This novel approach aims to improve patient outcomes by providing a less invasive alternative for managing calcified arterial lesions.

The acquisition positions Boston Scientific to compete directly in a dynamic market that is increasingly defined by innovative IVL solutions.

Currently, Shockwave Medical, part of Johnson & Johnson following its US $13.3 billion acquisition in 2024, is a dominant force in this space.

Other companies, including FastWave Medical, Vantis Vascular, and Amplitude Vascular, are also making strides with their IVL technologies.

Moreover, Abbott recently received FDA IDE approval for its coronary IVL system, further highlighting the growing interest and investment in this field among medtech giants.