Abbott (ABT) Expands Vascular Portfolio With New Acquisition

Abbott Laboratories ABT recently announced the acquisition of Walk Vascular, LLC -- a commercial-stage medical device company with a minimally-invasive mechanical aspiration thrombectomy system. The financial terms of the deal have been kept under wraps.

With the closing of the deal, Walk Vascular's Peripheral Thrombectomy Systems will now be included in Abbott's endovascular product portfolio.  

The acquisition will expand Abbott’s Peripheral Vascular offerings, boosting the company’s vascular businesses.

More on Peripheral Thrombectomy Systems

Walk Vascular's JETi Peripheral Thrombectomy System and next-generation JETi AIO (All In One) Peripheral Thrombectomy System are distinctive aspiration systems designed to remove intravascular clots, also known as thrombus.

The innovative JETi systems are intended to divide and remove clots from the peripheral vascular system while reducing the risk of dislodged clots.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Both the JETi Peripheral Thrombectomy System and next-generation JETi AIO (All In One) Peripheral Thrombectomy System have received FDA 510(k) clearance for the aspiration and breaking up of soft emboli and thrombus from the peripheral vasculature. Both the systems are also CE Mark approved in Europe and in other countries.

Significance of the Acquisition

Per Abbott’s management, Vascular's technology offers physicians with tools to efficiently remove dangerous clots from blood vessels. The acquisition of Walk Vascular is well suited for the company’s vascular device offerings and further boosts Abbott's ability to provide one-of-a-kind endovascular therapy solutions to enhance patient care.

Industry Prospects

Per a report by MARKETSANDMARKETS, the global thrombectomy devices market is estimated to reach a worth of $1.45 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 6.7%.

The rising number of minimally-invasive procedures, favorable medical reimbursements and rising demand for minimally-invasive thrombectomy procedures are factors driving the market.

Recent Developments

In August 2021, Abbott released favorable data from its GUIDE-HF clinical trial on its small implantable pulmonary pressure sensor, CardioMEMS HF System. This landmark clinical trial is a 1,000-patient randomized study to evaluate the benefits of the CardioMEMS HF System in people living with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, III and IV heart failure.

In the same month, Abbott presented late-breaking data from the Amulet LAA Occluder IDE trial comparing the company's Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluder with Boston Scientific’s BSX Watchman device to treat people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) at a high risk of stroke. The study outcomes were presented in a late-breaking Hot Line session at ESC Congress 2021 organized by the European Society of Cardiology.

Price Performance

Shares of the company have gained 23.3% in a year’s time compared with the industry’s rise of 14.2%.

Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Currently, Abbott carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

A few better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Envista Holdings Corporation NVST and BellRing Brands, Inc. BRBR, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Envista Holdings has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 27%.

BellRing Brands has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 29%.

Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything

Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the “Internet of Money” and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree we’re still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities.

Zacks’ has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.