OrganOx, the Oxford-based medtech company behind pioneering liver perfusion technology, has been acquired by global healthcare group Terumo Corporation in a deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion. The transaction represents one of the largest exits of a UK medtech company and marks a significant milestone for the organ transplantation field.
Revolutionary Liver Preservation Technology
Founded out of the University of Oxford, OrganOx developed the world's first fully automated device for liver preservation, called metra. This groundbreaking technology enables donor livers to be maintained in a functioning state outside the human body for up to 24 hours, dramatically extending the window for successful transplantation.
The metra device has been used in more than 6,000 liver transplants to date, significantly increasing the number of viable organs available for transplant and improving patient outcomes worldwide. This technology has transformed liver transplantation by allowing medical teams more time to match organs with recipients and prepare for complex procedures.
Strategic Acquisition and Future Growth
Following the acquisition, OrganOx will continue to operate from Oxford as a standalone division within Terumo Corporation. Oern R. Stuge, MD, MBA, and Executive Chairman of OrganOx, explained that the transaction is expected to expand the adoption of their transplantation technology platform by leveraging Terumo's global infrastructure to benefit more patients around the globe.
Craig Marshall, CEO of OrganOx, emphasized the company's maintained focus and momentum as key factors in the successful outcome. The acquisition positions OrganOx to accelerate global expansion and reach more patients in need of liver transplants.
Record-Breaking Investment Returns
The deal delivered BGF's biggest return to date, generating £175 million in proceeds with a 10x money multiple on its original investment and an internal rate of return of approximately 69%. BGF first invested in OrganOx in 2019 and provided seven rounds of investment, including a £20 million commitment earlier this year.
Tim Rea, co-head of early stage investing at BGF and a member of the OrganOx board since 2019, highlighted the significance of the exit in a sector where institutional capital is constrained. He noted that the success demonstrates the importance and potential of patient growth capital and willingness to back innovation before it is de-risked.
Clinical Impact and Market Leadership
Constantin Coussios, Co-Founder and CTO of OrganOx, reflected on the journey from university concept to standard-of-care technology, noting that the innovation has transformed the lives of over 6,000 patients to date. Rupa Basu, Global CCO of OrganOx, emphasized how the company rapidly expanded its global footprint, positively impacting both patients and healthcare providers while honoring the generosity of over 6,000 donors.
The success of OrganOx demonstrates the potential for UK-based medtech innovation to achieve global scale and deliver meaningful clinical outcomes. Andy Gregory, CEO of BGF, emphasized that the success is particularly significant because it directly benefits patient outcomes, combining commercial success with positive healthcare impact.
