ARTICLE SUMMARY:
Multi-industry conglomerate W.L. Gore expands its cardiovascular portfolio into the fast-growing LAAO market with the acquisition of atraumatic occlusion device maker Conformal Medical.
Conformal Medical has been on MedTech Strategist’s radar for several years now, and the company was just beginning its pivotal 1,600-patient CONFORM trial, which is now 30% enrolled, last we checked in with CEO James Reinstein in 2024. (See “Conformal Medical: Simpler, Safer Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion,” MedTech Strategist, May 30, 2019, and “Conformal Medical Begins Pivotal LAAO Trial,” MedTech Strategist, April 24, 2024.) The company’s CLAAS AcuFORM device for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) was touted for its complete seal of the appendage, strong safety profile, and suitability for most of the patient population without physicians having to select from a range of sizes.
Last month, Conformal was acquired by W. L. Gore & Associates, a global materials science company headquartered in Delaware, after a month-long diligence process, placing Gore in league with Boston Scientific, Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, and Occlutech in the LAAO market. Gore’s medical business comprises more than half of the company’s total enterprise, which spans various industries such as performance fabrics, semiconductors, automotive, and aerospace and defense.
