Ajax Health and KKR Form New Platform to Develop System for Treating Heart Failure
Ajax Health, backed by KKR, has announced the formation of FlowMod, a new collaboration with Boston Scientific to develop a heart failure treatment system. The initiative aims to accelerate development, clinical validation, and regulatory approval for treating a condition affecting 64 million people worldwide.
FlowMod will be led by CEO Dr. Philippe Marco, former President and COO of Epix Therapeutics and CV Ingenuity. The venture is supported by KKR's Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, a $4.0 billion fund focused on high-growth healthcare companies. The platform will utilize intellectual property developed by Boston Scientific to create a differentiated solution for physicians and patients in heart failure treatment.
Ajax Health, sostenuta da KKR, ha annunciato la creazione di FlowMod, una nuova collaborazione con Boston Scientific per sviluppare un sistema di trattamento per l'insufficienza cardiaca. L'iniziativa mira ad accelerare lo sviluppo, la validazione clinica e l'approvazione normativa per trattare una condizione che colpisce 64 milioni di persone in tutto il mondo.
FlowMod sarà guidata dal CEO Dr. Philippe Marco, ex Presidente e COO di Epix Therapeutics e CV Ingenuity. L'impresa è sostenuta dal KKR's Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, un fondo da 4,0 miliardi di dollari focalizzato su aziende sanitarie ad alta crescita. La piattaforma utilizzerà la proprietà intellettuale sviluppata da Boston Scientific per creare una soluzione differenziata per medici e pazienti nel trattamento dell'insufficienza cardiaca.
Ajax Health, respaldada por KKR, ha anunciado la formación de FlowMod, una nueva colaboración con Boston Scientific para desarrollar un sistema de tratamiento para la insuficiencia cardíaca. La iniciativa tiene como objetivo acelerar el desarrollo, la validación clínica y la aprobación regulatoria para tratar una condición que afecta a 64 millones de personas en todo el mundo.
FlowMod estará liderada por el CEO Dr. Philippe Marco, ex Presidente y COO de Epix Therapeutics y CV Ingenuity. La empresa cuenta con el apoyo del KKR's Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, un fondo de 4,0 mil millones de dólares enfocado en empresas de salud de alto crecimiento. La plataforma utilizará la propiedad intelectual desarrollada por Boston Scientific para crear una solución diferenciada para médicos y pacientes en el tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca.
Ajax Health는 KKR의 지원을 받아 FlowMod를 설립했다고 발표했습니다. 이는 Boston Scientific와 협력하여 심부전 치료 시스템을 개발하는 새로운 프로젝트입니다. 이 이니셔티브는 전 세계적으로 6,400만 명에게 영향을 미치는 질환 치료를 위한 개발, 임상 검증 및 규제 승인을 가속화하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
FlowMod는 Epix Therapeutics와 CV Ingenuity의 전 사장 겸 COO인 Dr. Philippe Marco가 CEO로 이끌 것입니다. 이 벤처는 고성장 의료 기업에 초점을 맞춘 40억 달러 규모의 KKR Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II의 지원을 받고 있습니다. 이 플랫폼은 Boston Scientific이 개발한 지적 재산을 활용하여 심부전 치료를 위한 의사와 환자에게 차별화된 솔루션을 제공할 것입니다.
Ajax Health, soutenue par KKR, a annoncé la création de FlowMod, une nouvelle collaboration avec Boston Scientific pour développer un système de traitement de l'insuffisance cardiaque. L'initiative vise à accélérer le développement, la validation clinique et l'approbation réglementaire pour traiter une condition qui affecte 64 millions de personnes dans le monde.
FlowMod sera dirigée par le CEO Dr. Philippe Marco, ancien président et COO d'Epix Therapeutics et CV Ingenuity. L'entreprise bénéficie du soutien du KKR's Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, un fonds de 4,0 milliards de dollars axé sur les entreprises de santé à forte croissance. La plateforme utilisera la propriété intellectuelle développée par Boston Scientific pour créer une solution différenciée pour les médecins et les patients dans le traitement de l'insuffisance cardiaque.
Ajax Health, unterstützt von KKR, hat die Gründung von FlowMod bekannt gegeben, einer neuen Zusammenarbeit mit Boston Scientific zur Entwicklung eines Behandlungssystems für Herzinsuffizienz. Die Initiative zielt darauf ab, die Entwicklung, klinische Validierung und behördliche Genehmigung zur Behandlung einer Erkrankung zu beschleunigen, die weltweit 64 Millionen Menschen betrifft.
FlowMod wird von CEO Dr. Philippe Marco geleitet, dem ehemaligen Präsidenten und COO von Epix Therapeutics und CV Ingenuity. Das Unternehmen wird vom KKR Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II unterstützt, einem 4,0 Milliarden Dollar schweren Fonds, der sich auf schnell wachsende Gesundheitsunternehmen konzentriert. Die Plattform wird geistiges Eigentum nutzen, das von Boston Scientific entwickelt wurde, um eine differenzierte Lösung für Ärzte und Patienten bei der Behandlung von Herzinsuffizienz zu schaffen.
- Formation of new treatment platform addressing large market of 64M heart failure patients
- Access to Boston Scientific's intellectual property
- Backed by KKR's $4.0B Healthcare Strategic Growth Fund II
- Experienced leadership with track record in cardiovascular device approvals
- Early-stage development with no immediate revenue generation
- Pending regulatory approvals and clinical validations required
- Competitive market in heart failure treatment space
Insights
KKR's formation of FlowMod through its portfolio company Ajax Health represents a strategic expansion into the cardiovascular medical device space, targeting the heart failure treatment market that affects 64 million people globally. This three-way collaboration between KKR, Ajax Health, and Boston Scientific leverages existing intellectual property from Boston Scientific, potentially reducing development risks and accelerating time-to-market.
KKR is funding this initiative through its Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, a
This investment aligns with KKR's demonstrated strategy of partnering with established healthcare players while leveraging specialized expertise through incubator-style platforms like Ajax Health. The reference to the previous Cortex transaction with Boston Scientific indicates a pattern of successful collaboration between these entities.
From an investment perspective, this represents KKR's continued portfolio diversification within healthcare innovation, particularly in the medical device sector addressing significant unmet clinical needs. While specific financial commitments remain undisclosed and revenue impact would likely materialize only after regulatory approval, the strategic positioning in a substantial addressable market with experienced leadership represents a potentially valuable long-term growth opportunity.
The formation of FlowMod addresses a critical market opportunity in cardiovascular medicine. Heart failure represents one of the largest unmet needs in healthcare, affecting 64 million patients worldwide with effective interventional options. The condition imposes enormous clinical and economic burdens on healthcare systems globally.
This collaboration brings together complementary strengths: Boston Scientific's intellectual property foundation, Ajax Health's proven device development expertise, and KKR's capital resources. Dr. Philippe Marco's leadership is particularly significant given his track record at Epix Therapeutics and CV Ingenuity—both Ajax-led companies that successfully navigated the complex regulatory pathway for cardiovascular devices.
The interventional heart failure space represents a logical extension following the mentioned Cortex transaction with Boston Scientific, suggesting a strategic progression building on previous collaborative success. While specific technological details aren't disclosed, interventional approaches to heart failure typically target hemodynamic modulation, structural modifications, or novel stimulation therapies.
The initiative faces the typical challenges of the medical device development pathway—rigorous clinical trials, regulatory scrutiny, and physician adoption hurdles. However, the combination of Boston Scientific's established IP foundation, Ajax's development expertise, and KKR's financial backing creates a favorable structure for navigating these challenges while accelerating the traditional development timeline.
"On the heels of the Cortex transaction with Boston Scientific, we are thrilled to pursue this new path in interventional heart failure and the benefits it may bring to the millions of patients affected by this disease each year," said Duke Rohlen, Chief Executive Officer, Ajax Health. "Through this collaboration, we intend to bring a differentiated solution to physicians and their patients that we believe will make a positive impact on how heart failure is treated."
"We are pleased to collaborate with both Ajax Health and Boston Scientific, innovate productively alongside leading strategic partners, and help advance promising medical technology for the benefit of cardiovascular disease patients worldwide," said Ali Satvat, Partner and Global Head of Health Care Strategic Growth at KKR.
FlowMod will be led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philippe Marco, former President and Chief Operations Officer of Epix Therapeutics and CV Ingenuity, both of which were Ajax-led companies that obtained pre-market approval for groundbreaking cardiovascular devices.
"I am excited to work with the Ajax Health and KKR leadership teams again," said Dr. Marco. "We look forward to developing a meaningful advancement in the treatment of patients with heart failure, building upon the foundation established by Boston Scientific."
KKR is investing in FlowMod through its KKR Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, a
About Ajax Health
Ajax Health is a turnkey growth solution for commercial-stage medtech companies. The Ajax team draws on decades of experience as entrepreneurs, operators, and investors to create value for its strategic partners by developing product portfolios through novel business models and creative deal structures. Ajax Health is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with offices in
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group's website at www.globalatlantic.com.
1 Bozkurt, Biykem et al. HF Stats 2024: Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics. An Updated 2024 Report from the Heart Failure Society of America. Journal of Cardiac Failure. 2025 Jan; 31(1):66-116.
Media contacts:
For Ajax Health:
Will Kynes
wkynes@ajaxhealth.com
For KKR:
Julia Kosygina
212-750-8300
media@kkr.com
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SOURCE Ajax Health
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