2. Spectranetics
Stellarex drug-coated angioplasty balloon [Image courtesy of Spectranetics]
R&D spend: $67.5 million
Percent of revenues: 24.9%
2017 overall revenue rank: 92
Spectranetics’s devices portfolio includes catheters designed to treat coronary and peripheral artery disease – as well as remove implanted pacemaker and ICD leads.
The company also touts its Stellarex drug-coated angioplasty balloon, which includes EnduraCoat technology that combines amorphous and small-to-large crystalline paclitaxel with polyethylene glycol (PEG) excipient. EnduraCoat enables efficient drug transfer, effective tissue residency, high coating durability and minimal particulate loss, according to Spectranetics (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
With the Spectranetics enjoying double-digit growth, the company became an attractive acquisition target for Royal Philips, which closed a $2.2 billion purchase of Spectranetics in August.
