Our Historic Portfolio
American Medical Systems (AMS) is the world's leading independent developer, manufacturer, and marketer of products for the urology market. Following its spin-off from Pfizer in 1998, AMS completed several transactions to broaden its technology base and product line. The Company's market-leading position in erectile dysfunction is now complemented by multiple product offerings in the incontinence and prostate disease market segments. AMS (NASDAQ: AMMD) completed its initial public offering during 2000. AMS’ public market capitalization exceeds $1.5 billion.
AtheroMed is a medical device start-up pioneering the next generation of peripheral atherectomy products. The company's first product, the Phoenix® Atherectomy System, is designed to treat a broad range of peripheral arterial blockages. The Phoenix is approved for use in Europe and is still under investigation in the United States.
Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc. (founded in 1994) pioneered the field of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, with the development of a revolutionary system that permits heart surgery to be performed while the heart is still beating. The company was acquired for nearly $250 million by Guidant Corporation in 1998 and is now a division of Guidant with $50 million in annual revenue. Mr. Lasersohn conceived the idea for the company, led the founding round and was a member of the Board of Directors.
Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc. (founded in 1988) developed the first intravascular ultrasound catheter that enabled cardiologists to image the interior of a coronary artery during procedures such as balloon angioplasty and stenting. Vertical Group participated in the early stage venture rounds of the company and was represented by Mr. Lasersohn on the Board of Directors until the sale of the company for over $100 million to Boston Scientific Corporation in 1994.
ev3, Inc. was founded with the goal of building a "middle-market" alternative to its diversified, multi-billion dollar competitors in the $10 billion market for endovascular devices. Completing five acquisitions and three strategic partnerships since mid-2000, ev3 has demonstrated that a company can be large enough to support global distribution and market development without sacrificing responsiveness to new technologies that address unmet or underserved clinical needs. ev3 has established positions in emerging endovascular technologies such as embolic protection, thrombectomy, stroke prevention, carotid artery stenting, and cerebral aneurysm repair. ev3 (NASDAQ: EVVV) completed its Initial Public Offering in June, 2005. EV3 was acquired by Covidien in 2010 for approximately $2.6 billion.
ForteBio is an early commercial stage company that is developing a new generation of analytical tools for antibody-based drug discovery. The Company's first commercial product, the Octet System, incorporates a sensitive optical detector and a unique series of application-specific biosensor consumables. The Octet System can perform label-free, real-time detection and analysis of molecular interactions, thus potentially accelerating antibody discovery by providing a cost-effective way to make critical measurements even on crude samples in early stages of development. In 2011, Forte Bio was acquired by Pall Corporation in a transaction valued at over $125 million.
Integrated Vascular Systems designed and developed innovative catheter-based, nitinol "clip" technology for tissue apposition. Following an initial clinical evaluation of it STARCLOSE system for the closure of femoral artery incisions, Abbott Laboratories acquired IVS in July, 2003 for over $100 million in initial and future consideration. In December 2005, Abbott received FDA approval for the STARCLOSE system. Jack W. Lasersohn and Yue-Teh Jang were members of the IVS Board of Directors prior to its acquisition by Abbott Laboratories and Mr. Jang also served as its CEO.
Kyphon Corporation was a pioneer developer of technology to facilitate the minimally invasive reduction and repair of compression bone fractures (i.e. fractures involving crushed or collapsed bone. Spinal surgeons utilize the KyphX system to treat vertebral body compression fractures, a common osteoporosis-related injury suffered by the elderly. Vertical was a founding investor of Kyphon in 1995 and Jack Lasersohn served on the Company's Board of Directors until its acquisition in 2007 by Medtronic in a transaction valued at $3.9 billion.
Lifecell Corporation pioneered the field of tissue repair and reinforcement with biologic materials utilizing proprietary processing techniques to remove cells and other impurities from allograft and xenograft dermis, thus creating an ideal “scaffold” material for tissue repair, reinforcement, and replacement applications. Vertical was a shareholder of Lifecell from 2001 until the Company’s acquisition by KCI in 2008 for approximately $1.8 billion. During its seven years as a shareholder, Vertical assisted Lifecell in establishing corporate partnerships with several Vertical portfolio companies.
Lifecore Biomedical pioneered the development of medical products based on hyaluronate, a naturally occurring biopolymer with unique tissue healing, lubricating, and protection properties. Lifecore's products are utilized by medical specialists in the fields of oral surgery, ophthalmology, wound care, and gynecology, general surgery. John E. Runnells served on the Lifecore Board of Directors from 2002 until the Company’s acquisition in 2008 by a private equity firm for approximately $239 million.
Lutonix is focused on the development of a drug-coated balloon angioplasty catheter intended to reduce restenosis. Targeted clinical indications include lower extremity peripheral vascular disease and coronary in-stent restenosis. The company was founded in 2007 by engineer Lixiao Wang and interventional cardiologist and entrepreneur Dennis Wahr. Lutonix was acquired by CR Bard in 2011 in a transaction valued at over $300 million including future earnouts. Tony Chou served on the Board of Directors.
Masimo Corporation was founded in 1989 by Joe Kiani, a 25 year old entrepreneur from Iran, to develop a revolutionary improvement to pulse oximetry systems. At the time, the pulse oximetry market was dominated by a single competitor, Nellcor. Joe and his team worked for nearly six years to perfect their new technology - Masimo SET - and introduced it to the market in 1996. Despite extraordinary resistance by Nellcor, which included patent infringement and anticompetitive activity, Masimo's superior technology ultimately became the standard of care in pulse oximetry. Masimo has since introduced many additional revolutionary technologies, including the first non-invasive measurement of hemoglobin. Masimo has annual sales of approximately $400 million and a public market cap of $2 billion. The Vertical Group invested in an early venture round in 1994. Jack Lasersohn joined the Masimo Board of Directors at that time and continues to serve on it today.
Metabolix was founded as a spin out from MIT in 1992 to develop a new class of biopolymers assembled by genetically engineered E. coli bacteria. The polymers, called PHBs, are biodegradable, but share many of the attractive properties of mass produced, commercial-grade plastics such as polyesters. In addition, there was some evidence that PHBs might be attractive for biological implants, as they would be both degradable, but also highly biocompatible. Vertical led the first venture round for the company in 1992 and participated in nearly one dozen subsequent rounds over the next decade. In 2006, the company completed a $400 million joint venture with ADM to commercialize its revolutionary biodegradable plastics for the commercial market and successfully completed an IPO in 2007 at more than a $600 million market value. It had previously spun out a company, Tepha, in 2000, to develop medical applications of PHBs. Ed Giles has served on the Metabolix Board since its founding and Jack Lasersohn served on the Board from 1998 through 2007. Richard Emmitt and Ed Giles continue to serve on the Tepha Board, which remains an active Vertical portfolio investment.
OsteoBiologics Inc. developed proprietary and patented bioabsorbable polymer materials utilized for the repair and replacement of injured bone, cartilage, and other skeletal tissues. During 2003 OBI received its first FDA marketing clearances. In July, 2006 OBI was acquired by Smith & Nephew for approximately $75 million. Richard B. Emmitt served on the OBI Board of Directors.
Proteolix, Inc. is a bio-pharmaceutical company that developed drugs which target the activities of the proteosome. The founders are among the world’s leading experts on the proteosome and their previous work led directly to the development of Velcade, the leading FDA approved drug for the treatment for multiple myeloma. The Proteolix drug, Carfilzomib, has completed several Phase II clinical trials that demonstrate efficacy equivalent or superior to Velcade without the latter drug’s dose limiting toxicity. These clinical results also suggest that the Proteolix drug may have superior efficacy compared to Celgene’s Revlimid, with a similar toxicity profile. In early testing, Carfilzomib also has demonstrated efficacy against both renal cell and small cell lung cancer. Proteolix was acquired by Onyx Pharmaceuticals in 2009 for total consideration which may exceed $800 million.
SciMed Life Systems was one of the pioneers in the development of products used in the procedure called PTCA or balloon angioplasty which treats blocked coronary arteries. The predecessors of the Vertical Group led the early financings of the company and were its principal shareholders. Richard Emmitt served on the SciMed Board of Directors from 1984 until the company’s merger with Boston Scientific in 1995. At the time of closing, the merger valued SciMed at approximately $1.0 billion with SciMed shareholders receiving approximately on-third of the equity of the combined companies.
Spinecore developed an artificial spinal lumbar and cervical disk as an alternative to spinal fusion. It was acquired by Stryker Corporation in 2004 for $124 million plus additional milestone payments.
Support Systems International developed the Clinitron Bed in the early 1980’s and then successfully marketed it as a fully integrated prescription therapy for the treatment of hospitalized patients with serious illnesses such as burns, severe orthopedic trauma or other conditions requiring extended rest, and the attendant risk of development of decubitus ulcers. Patrick Paul was founder, CEO and chairman of SSI, and the predecessors of The Vertical Group financed the Company at all stages until its sale for over $450 million to Hillenbrand Industries in 1986.
Ventana Medical Systems pioneered the market for instrument and reagent systems that automate tissue sample analysis in clinical laboratories. The Vertical Group participated in an early venture round financing and was an investor in Ventana from 1992 until the Company’s acquisition in 2008 by Hoffman LaRoche for approximately $3.9 billion. Edward M. Giles served as a member of the Ventana Board of Directors.
Wright Medical Group is an orthopedic company with a broad product line including leading positions in extremity joint prostheses and biologic and synthetic bone graft materials. The Vertical Group was a participant in both the recapitalization and acquisition financings that formed Wright Medical Group. Richard B. Emmitt served on Wright’s Board of Directors from 1999 to 2006.
Xomed Surgical Products is the largest provider of advanced surgical products focused on the ENT markets. Vertical was an early stage investor in Merocel, the predecessor company to Xomed. In 1994, the Xomed division of Bristol Meyers-Squibb was acquired in a transaction financed by The Vertical Group and Warburg Pincus. Richard Emmitt was a member of the Board of Xomed from 1995 until its sale to Medtronic for approximately $800 million in 1999.
