J&J Abandons Left-Atrial Appendage Closure Market Amid Pivotal Study Woes

Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) MedTech division is exiting the left-atrial appendage closure market after abandoning plans to compete with industry leaders Boston Scientific and Abbott. The company acquired Laminar, a developer of the minimally invasive system, through its $24 billion buy in late 2023 for $400 million upfront.

The pivotal study aimed to enroll about 1,500 people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation to test the system's ability to reduce stroke risk compared to Boston Scientific's Watchman and Abbott's Amplatzer Amulet occluders. However, recruitment was suspended in mid-2025 due to a 'potential unwrapping of the LAA post implant with clinically significant leaks.'

Jaguar LAA, formed by Santé Ventures, has acquired the device and its assets, as well as members of its development team. Jaguar's president and CEO Randy Lashinski previously led Laminar as CEO and worked at J&J following the acquisition.