Medtronic plc has completed the acquisition of Intersect ENT, expanding the company’s comprehensive ear, nose, and throat (ENT) portfolio with innovative products used in sinus procedures to improve post-operative outcomes and to treat nasal polyps.
As a result of the close of the transaction announced on Aug. 6, 2021, Medtronic has acquired Intersect ENT’s PROPEL™ and SINUVA™ (mometasone furoate) sinus implant product lines and technology, intellectual property, and Menlo Park, CA, facility. Intersect ENT employees also join Medtronic through this acquisition. A former Intersect ENT brand, Fiagon, was divested simultaneously at close, and those products ― Cube™ navigation system and VenSure™ balloon sinus dilation system ― were not included in the acquisition.
According to the company, Intersect ENT’s product lines and customer base will further the efforts of Medtronic to have a positive impact for patients who suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). CRS is one of the most common healthcare problems in the United States, with approximately 30 million adults diagnosed annually. It has been associated with lost days of work, decreased productivity, and even depression and anxiety, with most patients reporting 5–15 years of suffering and medical treatment.
Through this acquisition, Medtronic gains PROPEL and SINUVA, which are unique bioabsorbable, steroid-eluting implants for sinus patients. PROPEL implants are inserted following endoscopic sinus surgery to maintain sinus patency and provide localized steroid delivery. SINUVA implants are designed for use in the physician’s office setting for the treatment of nasal polyps in adult patients who have had ethmoid sinus surgery.
“By combining Intersect ENT’s groundbreaking localized drug-delivery products with the leading navigation and powered instruments of Medtronic, we can now equip physicians with the right tools for many unique patient needs,” says Vince Racano, president of the ENT business, which is part of the Neuroscience Portfolio at Medtronic. “This acquisition expands our portfolio, and we can now provide a more comprehensive continuum of care for CRS patients while supporting the bold ambition of Medtronic to be the global healthcare technology leader.”
“We believe the market leadership and global footprint of Medtronic, coupled with enterprise resources to fuel pipeline innovation and commercialization, will advance our reach to customers and patients more quickly, and serve our shared vision of improving patient access, outcomes, and satisfaction for millions of people around the world who suffer from ENT diseases,” says Thomas West, president and CEO of Intersect ENT. “We are thrilled to combine these two companies as we now officially work together to bring more ENT options to patients. I am especially proud of our dedicated Intersect ENT employees, whose entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation have driven our ability to achieve this milestone.”
PROPEL™, PROPEL™ Mini, and PROPEL™ Contour implants are FDA approved in the U.S. and CE marked in the EU. SINUVA™ Sinus Implants are currently sold only in the United States.
This acquisition is consistent with the strong commitment of Medtronic to strategic portfolio management and capital deployment — disciplined processes to accelerate the company's weighted average market growth rate by strategically allocating resources to fuel innovation in fast-growing markets.
The Medtronic financial advisor for the transaction is Perella Weinberg Partners LP, with Ropes & Gray LLP acting as legal advisor. Intersect ENT’s financial advisor is Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, with Cooley LLP acting as legal advisor.