Boston Scientific made what could become a major addition to its electrophysiology portfolio, acquiring AFib mapping startup Cortex, Inc. for an undisclosed sum.
Cortex gives Boston Scientific a new mapping technology that detects AFib signs and triggers outside of the pulmonary veins, and can help EP teams develop ablation strategies for more complex AFib cases.
Cortex might not be a household name outside of electrophysiology circles, debuting less than a year ago with $90M in funding, but it was actually formed from longtime EP mapping innovator Ablacon.
- In fact, Ablacon’s Electrographic Flow (EGF) mapping technology appears to be the foundation of Cortex’s FDA-cleared OptiMap system, which combines a basket-shaped catheter and custom algorithm to detect AFib sources and support personalized ablation strategies.
The acquisition continues Boston Scientific’s 2024 M&A spree, following its purchase of Silk Road Medical to expand its stroke portfolio ($1.26B), and Axonics to add to its urology capabilities ($3.7B).
- Although Cortex was surely a smaller investment, it’s similarly intended to boost a core BSCI focus area – electrophysiology mapping and ablation – especially noting the huge mapping advantages held by some of its competitors.
- Boston Scientific didn’t mention pulsed field ablation in its announcement, but it’s likely that the company also had PFA in mind, given the technology’s rapid growth and Cortex’s complex AFib mapping specialization.
Early signs suggest that OptiMap could bring big improvements, noting that the FLOW-AF trial demonstrated that OptiMap-guided treatment improved persistent AFib patients’ freedom from AFib by 51% after one year compared to patients who received conventional pulmonary vein isolation.
- Cortex also has more research on the way that could show OptiMap’s efficacy among a far wider range of AFib patients.
The Takeaway
Boston Scientific’s electrophysiology business was already on solid ground, growing by an impressive 177% last quarter, and this acquisition could help keep that momentum going by adding to the part of its EP portfolio that arguably has the most room for growth.
