Blackstone Life Sciences has penned a $455 million collaboration with Boston Scientific to co-fund the development of the medtech’s next-generation miniature heart pump system.
Dubbed the Vitalyst Temporary Percutaneous Transvalvular Circulatory Support System program, this device is designed to increase cardiac output and improve blood flow and treat acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock — a life-threatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to supply the brain and other organs.
This is the first time that Boston Scientific and Blackstone will co-fund the development of a Boston Scientific product, though the partnership is similar to a collaboration Blackstone made with Medtronic in 2020 to support its diabetes R&D programs.
Cardiogenic shock, which shows up as heart attacks or other heart issues, continues to drive significant mortality rates despite advances in treatment.
According to Blackstone, the Vitalyst system is being developed to address the core unmet needs of critically ill cardiogenic patients with the goal of improving efficacy, safety, and ease of use for the physicians treating them.
“Boston Scientific has built a leading cardiovascular franchise, with deep expertise in developing and commercializing transformative technologies for patients and physicians,” said Nicholas Galakatos, Ph.D., Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences, in a statement.
“We believe the VITALYST system has the potential to improve on the efficacy and safety of currently available mechanical circulatory support technologies, and this collaboration reflects our ability to help leaders in innovation bring important new medical devices to patients.”