Philips has agreed to acquire SpectraWAVE, a Bedford, Massachusetts-based company developing enhanced vascular imaging and AI-enabled coronary physiology assessment tools. Philips said the deal is intended to strengthen its image-guided therapy business and broaden its offering for interventional cardiology teams treating coronary artery disease.
Philips plans to add SpectraWAVE’s HyperVue Imaging System, which combines DeepOCT and near-infrared spectroscopy into an enhanced vascular imaging approach designed to deliver detailed structural and compositional views inside coronary arteries, with rapid setup and automated AI image analysis. Philips also highlighted SpectraWAVE’s X1-FFR, an AI-enabled, angio-derived fractional flow reserve approach that can calculate FFR from a single coronary angiogram, supporting faster physiologic assessment within routine cath lab workflows.
The acquisition also expands Philips’ existing intravascular device lineup, which includes Eagle Eye Platinum digital IVUS, IntraSight, and OmniWire iFR, and positions the combined portfolio as a more comprehensive toolkit spanning intravascular imaging modalities and both wire-based and wire-free physiology options. Philips said SpectraWAVE’s technologies could help increase adoption of intravascular imaging and physiologic assessment, particularly when paired with its Azurion platform.
Philips framed the transaction within the broader growth of minimally invasive percutaneous coronary interventions, noting that a growing evidence base supports improved outcomes when intravascular imaging and physiologic assessment are used to guide PCI. The company also pointed to the scale of coronary artery disease globally, describing it as the most frequent type of heart disease and affecting more than 300 million people worldwide.
SpectraWAVE was founded in 2017 and employs more than 70 people, Philips said. Financial terms were not disclosed. Philips also noted that the HyperVue system and related catheter, as well as the X1-FFR software, have been cleared by the U.S. FDA as Class 2 devices.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our global leadership in image-guided therapy is driven by deep clinical collaboration combined with our latest technology insights across hardware, software, and AI, to innovate interventional procedures for better and more patient impact. Our world-class portfolio integrates interventional systems and devices into one platform, Azurion, serving patients worldwide.”
“We are doubling down on image-guided therapy and expanding our portfolio in the coronary intervention segment with the addition of SpectraWAVE’s AI-powered innovations in high-definition intravascular imaging and angio-based physiological assessment, enabling us to deliver better care for more people.”
Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips
“Philips shares our deep conviction that the convergence of intravascular imaging, coronary physiology and AI can fundamentally improve how every patient with coronary disease is treated.”
“This partnership allows us to integrate and scale HyperVue and X1-FFR into the world’s leading image-guided therapy ecosystem, expanding choice for clinicians and supporting more consistent, high-quality care for the millions of patients who depend on coronary intervention each year.”
Eman Namati, PhD, CEO of SpectraWAVE
“With today’s announcement we continue to expand the role of minimally invasive image guided therapy procedures, which are associated with better patient outcomes and improved cost-effectiveness.”
“The acquisition of SpectraWAVE’s next-generation technologies for coronary intravascular imaging and physiological assessment mark a significant step in expanding our portfolio with breakthrough, AI-powered technologies that help clinicians decide, guide, treat and confirm treatment in one setting.”
Bert van Meurs, Chief Business Leader Image Guided Therapy at Philips
