KKR, Hologic and Ajax Health Create new platform to accelerate medical device innovation

KKR, a prominent global investment firm, has joined forces with Hologic, a leader in women's health and medical technology, to announce the establishment of Maverix Medical, a new platform geared towards advancing medical device innovation. Managed by Ajax Health under the leadership of Duke Rohlen, Maverix Medical will concentrate on both developing and acquiring cutting-edge technologies within the realm of lung cancer, addressing the critical need to detect this ailment, which stands as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Lung cancer claims more lives annually than the combined fatalities resulting from colon, breast, and prostate cancers. In a strategic move, KKR and Ajax Health will contribute Serpex Medical, an existing portfolio company specialising in innovative steerable technology. This technology allows for precise targeting of lung tissue for biopsy or the delivery of therapy, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing diagnostic capabilities and treatment options in the fight against lung cancer.

Ali Satvat, Partner and Co-Head of Americas Health Care at KKR, expressed admiration for Hologic's life-changing technologies, emphasising the collaborative potential to bring differentiated devices and diagnostics to market. Steve MacMillan, Chairman, President, and CEO of Hologic, highlighted the alignment with their leadership in diagnostic innovation and early cancer detection, expressing excitement about the partnership's capacity to target new disease categories.

Duke Rohlen, leading Ajax Health, sees the collaboration as an ideal opportunity to develop medical technologies that drive transformative growth and deliver significant patient impact. KKR's investment in Maverix through its Health Care Strategic Growth strategy underscores the strategic importance of the venture. While additional terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, the collaboration between KKR, Hologic, and Ajax Health signifies a concerted effort to leverage collective expertise and resources in the pursuit of improving patient outcomes and creating lasting value in the healthcare sector.