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Philips to acquire EPD Solutions for approx. $295 million
Company has its eye on the EUR 2+ billion cardiac arrhythmia ablation market
Royal Philips announced plans on Tuesday to acquire the electrophysiology technology manufacturer EPD Solutions for approximately $295 million.
“EPD’s technology is essentially an imaging and navigation technology and Philips is the leader in interventional imaging,” Ronald Tabaksblat, senior VP and leader of the Image Guided Therapy Systems business at Philips, told HCB News. “Through the EPD acquisition, we will strengthen our position in the cardiac arrhythmia ablation market.”
EPD’s cardiac imaging navigation system generates a detailed 3D image of cardiac anatomy to assist electrophysiologists with navigating the heart. It also determines the location and orientation of catheters.
“The system can perfectly image the ridge between the left superior pulmonary vein and the left atrial appendage (LAA),” said Tabaksblat. “Electrophysiologists must ablate along this narrow ridge while ensuring their catheter doesn’t slip into the LAA.”
Philips believes this technology is a great addition to its portfolio of interventional imaging systems, smart catheters, planning and navigation software and services. The combinations of Philips’ Azurion interventional imaging system and EPD’s system would provide the maps and data that electrophysiologists need to guide various catheters to locate and treat cardiac arrhythmias.
One of the most common cardiac arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation, which an estimated 33.5 million people worldwide suffered from — according to a study published in the journal Circulation. Philips believes this deal may also help them launch new solutions in the EUR 2+ billion cardiac arrhythmia ablation market.
The deal is still subject to customary closing conditions, but is expected to be completed next month. Upon closing, EPD and its employees will become part of Philips’ Imaging-Guided Therapy business and Shlomo Ben-Haim, founder and chairman of EPD Solutions will continue to support Philips by assisting in the development of a new business based on this acquisition.
“This business will focus on the commercialization of EPD’s imaging and navigation system for the fast growing cardiac arrhythmia ablation market,” said Tabaksblat.