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Boston Scientific and Blackstone Life Sciences (BXLS) have entered a $455 million co-funding collaboration for the VITALYST heart pump program, the first deal of its kind between the two organizations. The funding will support continued development of the VITALYST temporary percutaneous transvalvular circulatory support system.
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VITALYST is a compact, next-generation microaxial flow pump built to restore adequate circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS), a potentially fatal emergency in which a weakened heart cannot deliver enough oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs. The death rate for AMI-CS remains high despite recent therapeutic progress. The pump drives blood forward at more than four liters per minute while relieving pressure on the left ventricle, and it preserves organ blood supply during high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions.
Its design centers on a magnetically powered impeller instead of a conventional purge system, which allows a slimmer catheter shaft and is expected to reduce the likelihood of vessel damage. Boston Scientific has also refined the motor and catheter assembly to hold the device more securely and minimize red blood cell destruction.
BXLS global head Nicholas Galakatos said the system has the potential “to improve on the efficacy and safety” of existing mechanical circulatory support. For the broader MedTech space, the deal pairs a large device maker with outside capital as microaxial pumps, already used in this setting through J&J MedTech’s Impella, draw new entrants.
