Washington, DC, January 12, 2026 — A US federal court has granted the Federal Trade Commission’s request to halt Edwards Lifesciences’ proposed acquisition of JenaValve Technology, backing the agency’s claim that the deal would harm competition in the market for certain heart valve devices.
On January 9, the US District Court for the District of Columbia issued a preliminary injunction preventing Edwards from completing the transaction following a six-day trial. The authority had challenged the deal in August 2025, arguing that the acquisition would reduce competition in the US market for transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices used to treat aortic regurgitation.
Concerns
According to the authority, Edwards and JenaValve are the only two companies with ongoing US clinical trials for transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices designed to treat aortic regurgitation. The authority said combining the two would likely reduce innovation, diminish product quality, and potentially lead to higher prices for patients.
Edwards had already acquired JC Medical in July 2024, leaving JenaValve as its only remaining close competitor in the development of these devices. The proposed acquisition of JenaValve, valued at $945 million, would have brought both competing technologies under common ownership.
Agency Reaction
Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, said the ruling preserves head-to-head competition that has expanded treatment options for patients with serious heart conditions.
The authority said the decision supports its broader enforcement efforts aimed at protecting healthcare innovation and preventing consolidation that could harm patients through reduced choice or higher costs.
Deal Abandoned
Following the court’s ruling, Edwards announced that it would no longer pursue the acquisition of JenaValve.
The authority said it will continue to pursue merger enforcement actions in healthcare markets where consolidation threatens competition, innovation, and consumer welfare.
