Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI), a global leader of healthcare technology, announced its acquisition of Solo Pace, Inc. (Solo Pace). Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Solo Pace manufactures temporary pacing technology designed to help physicians treat patients with aortic stenosis. Merit had previously invested in Solo Pace, Merit acquired all remaining outstanding equity of Solo Pace for purchase consideration of approximately $45 million.

The acquisition expands Merit’s Cardiac Therapies platform with differentiated technologies, including SOLO PACE CONTROL™ and SOLO PACE FUSION™ systems, exclusively engineered for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and other transcatheter heart valve (THV) procedures. Prior to the acquisition, Merit served as the exclusive distributor of Solo Pace’s precision intraprocedural pacing technology. The acquisition builds on this existing commercial relationship and supports Merit’s strategy to expand its structural heart portfolio, with a focus on technologies designed to simplify procedural workflows and support physicians performing transcatheter heart valve procedures.

TAVR is a minimally invasive THV procedure that replaces the aortic valve in the heart. A treatment for aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the valve opening, TAVR is a rapidly growing procedure, with more than 100,000 performed annually in the United States alone.¹ Temporary pacing is a critical component of TAVR procedures, supporting accurate valve deployment and helping physicians perform the procedure safely and efficiently.

SOLO PACE CONTROL and FUSION systems are designed to help physicians treat patients by simplifying pacing setup,² reducing workflow variability,^2,3 and standardizing pacing strategies for TAVR procedures.^2–4 The systems can help physicians minimize communication-related pacing errors^2–4 and decrease the risk of vascular complications.^2,4,5–7

SOLO PACE FUSION is a single-use, sterile kit designed for temporary intracardiac pacing for TAVR and other THV procedures. Combining guide wire functionality, left ventricular pacing, and patient grounding in one device, SOLO PACE FUSION is designed to provide stable, reliable temporary pacing throughout pacing setup and delivery.^2,8

Designed for use with the existing SOLO PACE CONTROL external pulse generator, SOLO PACE FUSION is engineered to improve procedural efficiency during TAVR procedures.⁸ In addition, it supports temporary pacing with operator-specific protocols, automated pace capture checks, sterile remote-control operation, and simple visual indicators.

“SOLO PACE CONTROL and FUSION systems have the potential to redefine pacing in transcatheter valve procedures,” said David V. Daniels, MD, Interventional Cardiologist and Founder of Solo Pace. “Seeing the technology embraced by physicians and having a meaningful impact on procedural efficiency has been incredibly gratifying. With Merit taking the lead, I’m excited for the difference the Solo Pace products can make in advancing patient care and market adoption.”

Solo Pace announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance and commercial release of the SOLO PACE FUSION system on April 17, 2025, and March 31, 2026, respectively.

“This acquisition expands our Cardiac Therapies platform and further strengthens our position in the structural heart market,” said Martha G. Aronson, Merit’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through our exclusive distribution relationship, we have seen a favorable response from clinicians. That experience reinforces our confidence in the technology and the opportunity to support its next phase of growth. We look forward to leveraging our commercial, clinical, and physician education capabilities to expand adoption in the United States and, over time, bring these solutions to more physicians and patients worldwide.”