Walk Vascular

History

2021: Abbott bought Walk Vascular

On September 2, 2021, Abbott announced the acquisition of Walk Vascular with its mechanical aspiration thrombectomy system. With this transaction, the buyer expanded its presence in the field of endascular surgery.

Walk Vascular develops mechanical aspiration thrombectomy systems for minimally invasive peripheral thrombus removal. Under the terms of the buyout, these devices will be included in Abbott's vascular device portfolio, which already includes various catheters, stents, vascular plugs and vascular closure systems and much more.

Abbott acquired Walk Vascular

The acquisition of Walk Vascular fits well into our leading vascular device plans and expands Abbott's ability to provide unique endascular therapy solutions to improve patient care, "said Abbott Senior Vice President of Vascular Business Julie Tyler in a statement.

Walk offers a JETi peripheral thrombectomy system and a version of the system all in one, which includes an internal vacuum pump to remove blood clots, rather than a separate suction system. The system got its name from the technology of thrombectomy using a jet.

The JETi system works by inserting a distal catheter into the veins and arteries of the peripheral vasculature, where potentially dangerous blood clots called blood clots form. If left untreated, blood clots can interfere with blood flow, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart attack and respiratory problems.

A study of 18 patients, the results of which were published in early 2020, showed that with self-use, Walk technology achieved an average blood clot reduction of 92%. It achieved technical success, that is, no further treatment with thrombolysis was required to remove blood clots - in 76% of the procedures, compared with about 34% of the success in competitors.

Both JETi systems received FDA approval in the United States, and are also allowed for distribution in Canada, Australia, Europe and Asia. As of September 6, 2021, they are undergoing further evaluation as part of the JETi Registry study, which plans to include up to 250 people from the United States and Europe to study the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent thrombectomy using technology from Walk.

This acquisition was Abbott's first in almost three years. Prior to the acquisition of Walk Vascular, the last offer was made in January 2019 by Cephea Valve Technologies, which manufactured minimally invasive mitral heart valve replacement devices. The financial terms of the acquisition of Walk Vascular were not disclosed.^[1]

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