Terumo Acquires Sequent Medical

June 14, 2016—Terumo Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Sequent Medical, Inc. for $280 million to be paid at closing, with up to $100 million more to be paid based on the achievement of specific development or commercial milestones. Pending regulatory approval of the transaction, Terumo expects to complete the acquisition in July or August 2016.

According to Terumo, the acquisition is a key element in its strategy to establish and expand its global presence in the neurovascular market and other rapidly growing markets, including cardiology and endovascular medicine. Terumo entered the neurovascular device market in 2006 by acquiring MicroVention, Inc. and has developed a diversified product portfolio, including embolization coils used to treat aneurysms, as well as related interventional devices and stents.

Sequent develops, manufactures, and markets the Web aneurysm embolization system, an intrasaccular flow disrupter intended for the endovascular embolization of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms and other neurovascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous fistulae. The Web system is commercially available internationally but it is not yet available for sale or distribution in the United States.

In 2010, Sequent obtained CE Mark approval to commercially sell the Web system in all major markets in Europe. 

Sequent recently announced the completion of patient enrollment in the WEB-IT investigational device exemption pivotal trial. Data from the trial will be used by the US Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Web system and support approval to market and sell the device in the United States.

The Web system is based on Sequent’s MicroBraid technology, which is a dense mesh constructed from a large number of extremely fine wires. The announcement described MicroBraid as allowing for a mix of wire diameters or materials to achieve a tailored balance of compliance, porosity, and profile across device sizes. The Web system enables treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms with the familiarity of an intrasaccular approach while using established biomaterials, advised the company.