Maquet acquires LAAx and its TigerPaw II heart implant

May 21, 2013 By Sony Salzman

Getinge (PINK:GETI B) subsidiary Maquet Cardiovascular said it bought LAAx Inc and its TigerPaw II heart implant for an undisclosed amount.

The TigerPaw II device is designed to occlude the heart’s left atrial appendage to treat post-operative stroke after open heart surgery for atrial fibrillation. Maquet said the soft silicone device "conforms to its shape and thickness, minimizing the risk of tissue damage and accidental bleeding," according to a press release.

The device already has clearance in the U.S. and the European Union, where it’s slated to go on the market this month and in June, respectively.

Maquet said TigerPaw II represents the first in a line of products for patients with atrial fibrillation.

"We believe TigerPaw II will be a best-in-class device for reliable ligation of the left atrial appendage, potentially mitigating post-operative stroke and its associated costs in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery,” Peter Hinchliff, Maquet CEO said in prepared remarks.

“Atrial fibrillation affects millions of people worldwide, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect that number to climb significantly in the years to come. We believe TigerPaw II will play an important role for our customers as they treat more and more patients with atrial fibrillation.”

Maquet racked up a win for another of its devices designed to close artery incisions for catheters after the FDA cleared its Air-Band radial compression device for the U.S. market last month. The company was also recently slammed with a Class I FDA recall for malfunctioning battery units in ventilators.

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