The deal, valued at $550 million, brings in a company that develops access products for treating complex neurovascular conditions. Scientia’s portfolio features guidewires and catheters that Medtronic can seamlessly integrate into its existing suite of neurovascular products. That includes microwires and microcatheters designed to make neurovascular cases easier, faster and safer.
The medtech giant said the acquisition strengthens its ability to support physicians across the full procedural workflow in stroke treatment.
In a Q&A with MassDevice, Brett Wall, EVP and President, Medtronic Neuroscience portfolio, outlined the significance of the acquisition, as it adds Medtronic to the growing list of big-name medtech companies making deals to add stroke-treating technology, following the likes of Stryker and Boston Scientific.
The following has been lightly edited for clarity and space.
MassDevice: In your own words, can you give an overview of the existing Neurovascular business at Medtronic?
Brett Wall: “Medtronic’s Neurovascular business is part of the broader Neuroscience portfolio. The business currently has around 900 employees. Currently, Medtronic Neurovascular has products to treat acute ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Most recently, the company received FDA approval for an expanded indication for Onyx liquid embolic to treat chronic subdural hematoma as an adjunct to surgery, which is expected to be the most common neurosurgical conditions among adults by 2030.”
The same for an overview of Scientia and its portfolio?
BW: “Scientia is a private company operating in Salt Lake City, Utah, with approximately 310 employees. Under founder and current Chief Technology Officer John Lippert, the company has developed best-in-class access products that enable simplicity and access for physicians treating complex neurovascular conditions.”
How does the Scientia business fit in and complement the Medtronic Neurovascular business?
BW: “Scientia’s portfolio of guidewires and catheters can be seamlessly integrated with Medtronic’s existing suite of neurovascular products, strengthening the company’s ability to support physicians across the full procedural workflow. In stroke treatment, every second matters. With each second of restricted blood flow, the brain loses millions of brain cells. Today, stroke is the third leading cause of death and leading cause of disability worldwide.
“Unlike vessels in many other parts of the body, cerebral vasculature is highly complex and tortuous, creating significant challenges for physicians attempting to reach the site of an occlusion or aneurysm. Difficult access can delay therapy delivery and impact procedural success. Scientia’s novel access platform is designed to address these challenges by improving navigability through complex anatomy and simplifying neurovascular procedures. By enabling faster and more reliable access, these technologies improve procedural efficiency.”
What kinds of innovations do you expect to come once Scientia is integrated within Medtronic?
BW: “The Scientia technology will fit ‘hand in glove’ with Medtronic’s products and therapies. Once this acquisition is closed, every procedure can start with Medtronic. Medtronic has a number of innovations in the pipeline and the Scientia products will be part of the procedures to deliver those products as they are introduced.”
What are some of the greatest challenges, barriers to care/access, or issues within neurovascular care that this acquisition can help to overcome?
BW: Geographic access: “Medtronic’s size and scale will help enable Scientia’s engineering to be used in more disease states and geographies around the world. This deal allows us to take our engineering into disease states globally and positions Medtronic with a comprehensive portfolio and complete guidewire line.”
Barriers to care: “In stroke treatment, every second matters. With each second of restricted blood flow, the brain loses millions of brain cells. Today, stroke is the third leading cause of death and leading cause of disability worldwide. Unlike vessels in many other parts of the body, cerebral vasculature is highly complex and tortuous, creating significant challenges for physicians attempting to reach the site of an occlusion or aneurysm. Difficult access can delay therapy delivery and impact procedural success. Scientia’s novel access platform is designed to address these challenges by improving navigability through complex anatomy and simplifying neurovascular procedures. By enabling faster and more reliable access, these technologies improve procedural efficiency.”
What is the overall impact that this acquisition can have on neurovascular tech and innovation?
BW: “This acquisition positions Medtronic with a full suite of products. It builds a strong foundation for Medtronic and supports procedures across both hemorrhagic and acute ischemic stroke. Medtronic’s best-in-class therapies, combined with Scientia’s leading access portfolio, will be incredibly powerful. With 12 million people globally suffering from stroke each year, this will help Medtronic contribute to better patient outcomes around the world.”
