Philips to acquire SpectraWAVE, boosting AI-powered coronary imaging and physiological assessment
Dec 15, 2025 | 3 minute read
But here’s the key takeaway: Philips is expanding its image-guided therapy capabilities by bringing SpectraWAVE’s AI-driven coronary imaging and physiology tools into its portfolio, aiming to streamline decision-making and improve patient outcomes across the catheterization lab.
- The deal brings SpectraWAVE’s next-generation technologies to Philips, including the HyperVue Imaging System with Enhanced Vascular Imaging (EVI) for fast, AI-assisted, high-definition visualization inside coronary arteries, and X1-FFR, an AI-enabled angiography-based tool that derives rapid, accurate coronary physiology from a single angiogram. These capabilities promise to shorten procedures and enhance diagnostic precision .
- By integrating SpectraWAVE’s solutions with Philips’ Azurion image-guided therapy platform, the collaboration could elevate adoption of intravascular imaging and physiological assessment, potentially improving outcomes for a larger number of cardiac patients .
- The acquisition broadens Philips’ intravascular imaging and physiology device lineup, building on existing offerings like Eagle Eye Platinum digital IVUS and OmniWire iFR, to deliver a more complete suite for coronary imaging and physiologic guidance.
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire SpectraWAVE, Inc., a pioneer in Enhanced Vascular Imaging (EVI) of the coronary arteries, angiography-based physiology assessments, and AI-assisted medical imaging . SpectraWAVE’s innovations target coronary artery disease, the most prevalent form of heart disease, which affects more than 300 million people worldwide . Based in Bedford, Massachusetts, SpectraWAVE was founded in 2017 and currently employs just over 70 people.
“Our leadership in image-guided therapy rests on deep clinical collaboration and our ability to fuse hardware, software, and AI into practical solutions that improve patient care. By unifying interventional devices and systems under a single platform—Azurion—we aim to deliver streamlined therapies that reach patients globally,” said Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips.
The press release notes that percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are minimally invasive procedures that rely on intravascular imaging and physiological assessment, and a growing body of evidence indicates that these technologies enhance patient outcomes during PCI . With Azurion at the center, Philips seeks to accelerate the use of advanced diagnostics and treatment tools to meet the needs of a rising, more complex patient population.
SpectraWAVE’s CEO, Eman Namati, PhD, emphasized that combining intravascular imaging, coronary physiology, and AI could transform how patients with coronary disease are treated. The collaboration enables HyperVue and X1-FFR to be scaled within Philips’ image-guided therapy ecosystem, expanding clinicians’ options and supporting consistent, high-quality care for millions who rely on coronary interventions each year.
Bert van Meurs, Philips’ Chief Business Leader for Image Guided Therapy, framed the move as a significant step toward broader adoption of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that tend to yield better outcomes and improved cost-effectiveness . The acquisition would bring next-generation AI-powered imaging and physiology tools into Philips’ portfolio, enabling clinicians to decide, guide, treat, and confirm therapy in a single setting.
Expanding options and uniting AI across the coronary portfolio
SpectraWAVE’s HyperVue Imaging System blends DeepOCT (the latest generation of optical coherence tomography) with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) into the Enhanced Vascular Imaging (EVI) framework. This setup delivers detailed structural and compositional images of coronary arteries during PCI, with rapid setup, fast data capture, and automated AI-driven image analysis. When paired with Philips’ Eagle Eye Platinum digital IVUS and IntraSight, HyperVue broadens the clinician’s imaging toolbox to include IVUS, DeepOCT, NIRS, and physiology derived from wire-like or angiography-based inputs—all managed within an integrated workflow tailored to each lesion and patient.
X1-FFR is an AI-powered, angiography-derived physiology tool that computes Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) from a single coronary angiogram. This approach provides a non-invasive ischemia assessment and converts routine X-ray data into actionable coronary physiology information, easing PCI workflows. X1-FFR complements Philips’ OmniWire iFR technology by enabling physiology assessments even when wires aren’t used, giving clinicians a versatile toolkit to broaden the everyday use of coronary physiology.
Philips has long touted one of the most comprehensive image-guided therapy portfolios in the industry, with Azurion serving as the central platform that unites advanced interventional tools in a single, user-friendly environment. Since its introduction in 2017, Azurion has supported millions of patients across more than 80 countries.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Sources
SpectraWAVE’s HyperVue Imaging System and the Starlight Imaging Catheter are U.S. FDA-cleared devices (K221257, K230691). The SpectraWAVE X1-FFR Software is FDA-cleared (K251355).
Compared with angiography-guided PCI outcomes.
AI-driven vessel segmentation and contouring are supported on the device; non-AI analytical models compute FFR values.
Global prevalence of coronary artery disease, 2024 update. J Am Coll Cardiol.
Meta-analysis on guidance strategies for PCI.
Intravascular imaging-guided stent implantation: updated meta-analysis.
Cost-effectiveness and outcomes with IVUS-guided PCI.
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on meaningful innovations that improve people’s health and well-being. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips develops and supplies diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring, enterprise informatics, and personal health solutions. In 2024, Philips generated EUR 18 billion in sales and employed around 67,000 people across more than 100 countries. More news is available at www.philips.com/newscenter.
Forward-looking statements and other information
This release contains forward-looking statements about Philips’ financial condition, results of operations, and business plans. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those related to the completion of acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. Actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied.
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