V-Wave

Company Overview

Snapshot

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

Business overview

V-Wave is a medical device company focused on developing percutaneous implantable devices for treating chronic heart failure. Its core product, the V-Wave Shunt, is a miniature, biocompatible implant designed to regulate left atrial pressure, which is a primary cause of worsening symptoms and hospitalizations in heart failure patients. The proprietary, unidirectional, interatrial shunt aims to prevent elevated left atrial pressure episodes, thereby improving symptoms, reducing hospitalizations, and enhancing exercise tolerance and quality of life for patients. The company operates within the Health Tech & Life Sciences sector, specifically targeting the medical devices market to serve healthcare providers and patients.

Strategic signal

In December 2025, an FDA advisory committee unanimously voted against the effectiveness of V-Wave's heart failure implant, the Ventura Interatrial Shunt System. This decision, based on the RELIEVE-HF trial, casts significant doubt on the device's efficacy, particularly for patients with preserved ejection fraction. This development is a major setback for the company and its acquirer, Johnson & Johnson, potentially impacting the contingent value of the acquisition and signaling increased regulatory hurdles for the device's market entry in the US.

Company Intelligence Q&A

What was the outcome of the FDA advisory committee's review of V-Wave's heart failure implant?

In December 2025, an FDA advisory committee unanimously voted against the effectiveness of V-Wave's Ventura Interatrial Shunt System, citing insufficient evidence of efficacy. This decision impacts the device's path to approval in the US.

When was V-Wave acquired and by whom?

V-Wave was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in August 2024. The deal included an upfront payment of $600 million, with potential for additional payments up to $1.1 billion contingent on milestone achievements.

What was the last disclosed funding round for V-Wave?

In December 2021, V-Wave completed the remaining tranches of its Series C extension, raising a total of $98 million. This funding was led by Deerfield Management and included participation from Johnson & Johnson Innovation.

What is the primary function of V-Wave's core product?

V-Wave's core product, the V-Wave Shunt, is a miniature, biocompatible implant designed to regulate left atrial pressure (LAP) in patients with chronic heart failure. This aims to prevent elevated LAP episodes, improve symptoms, and reduce hospitalizations.

When did V-Wave receive CE Mark approval for its Ventura Interatrial Shunt System?

In March 2020, V-Wave secured CE Mark approval for its Ventura Interatrial Shunt System in the European Union, allowing for its marketing and sale in the region.