V-Wave

Miniature Shunt for Treating Congestive Heart Failure

Health Tech & Life Sciences
Acquired by Johnson & Johnson on Aug, 2024

Company Overview

Snapshot

Founded in August 2009, V-Wave operates with 11–50 employees. The company raised $132.5M across 4 funding rounds from 12 investors. V-Wave was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in August 2024.

Business overview

V-Wave develops percutaneous implantable devices for patients suffering from chronic heart failure. Its core product, the V-Wave Shunt, is a miniature, biocompatible implant designed to regulate left atrial pressure (LAP), a key factor in worsening heart failure symptoms. This proprietary, unidirectional, interatrial shunt aims to prevent elevated LAP episodes, thereby improving patient symptoms, reducing hospitalizations, and enhancing exercise tolerance and quality of life. The company operates within the Health Tech & Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on Medical Devices and Medical Treatment & Therapeutics, serving healthcare providers and patients.

Strategic signal

In December 2025, an FDA committee voted against approving V-Wave's product, threatening the contingent value of its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. This development signals significant regulatory hurdles and potential financial implications for the acquiring entity, highlighting the inherent risks in medical device development and market entry post-acquisition.

Company Intelligence Q&A

When was V-Wave acquired?
V-Wave was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in August 2024.
What was the outcome of the FDA committee vote regarding V-Wave's product?
In December 2025, an FDA committee voted against approving V-Wave's product, impacting the contingent value of its acquisition.
When did V-Wave complete enrollment in the RELIEVE-HF trial?
V-Wave completed enrollment in the RELIEVE-HF Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Interatrial Shunting for Heart Failure in October 2022.
When did V-Wave secure CE Mark for its Ventura Interatrial Shunt System?
V-Wave secured CE Mark for its Ventura Interatrial Shunt System in March 2020.
When did V-Wave receive its second FDA breakthrough device designation?
V-Wave received its second FDA breakthrough device designation in September 2019.