Written by:Brandon G. Smith

Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”) announced on November 1, 2022, that it will acquire Abiomed for an upfront payment of $380.00 per share in cash, which equates to about $16.6 billion. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. According to reports, after the acquisition, Abiomed “will operate as a standalone business within J&J within Johnson & Johnson MedTech, becoming one of the company’s dozen ‘priority platforms,’ defined by annual sales of at least $1 billion.”

Joaquin Duato, Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson, stated that “[t]he addition of Abiomed is an important step in the execution of our strategic priorities and our vision for the new Johnson & Johnson focused on Pharmaceutical and MedTech,” and he further stated the acquisition will continue to enhance J&J’s “position in MedTech by entering high-growth segments. The addition of Abiomed provides a strategic platform to advance breakthrough treatments in cardiovascular disease and helps more patients around the world while driving value for our shareholders.” The acquisition follows reports earlier this year that J&J intended to “get active on the medtech M&A front.”

Abiomed was founded in 1981 “for the purpose of developing the world’s first artificial heart. ” Abiomed currently makes the Impella heart pump, which is “a support system of percutaneous catheter-based technology offering hemodynamic support to the heart.” Abiomed also offers the Breathe OXY-1 System, which is a “cardiopulmonary support system with an integrated oxygen concentrator.” Last year, Abiomed acquired the start-up preCARDIA and its catheter technology. Recently, “Abiomed reported revenue of $266 million, up 7% and up 11% in constant currency year over year, the seventh consecutive quarter the company posted double-digit revenue growth in constant currency.”

The press release may be accessed here.