Philips Acquires U.S. AI Firm SpectraWAVE to Enhance Heart Disease Treatment Technology
On Monday, December 15, 2025, Dutch healthcare technology giant Philips announced its acquisition of SpectraWAVE, a U.S.-based company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) for vascular mapping. The strategic move aims to bolster Philips’ capabilities in treating coronary heart disease, including heart attacks, through advanced diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.
About SpectraWAVE and the Acquisition
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, SpectraWAVE employs over seventy staff members focused on developing AI-driven technology that maps and assesses blood vessels. The financial details of the acquisition have not been publicly disclosed. However, Philips emphasized that this purchase will enable broader deployment of SpectraWAVE’s innovative vascular mapping technology.
Enhancing Philips’ Existing Portfolio
Philips is already a major player in image-guided therapy solutions. The company’s Azurion platform, launched in 2017, integrates various imaging technologies to aid minimally invasive treatments. Currently, Azurion is used to treat more than 7.6 million patients annually across over 80 countries.
By incorporating SpectraWAVE’s AI technology into its existing systems, Philips intends to enhance its diagnostic precision and treatment effectiveness, particularly for coronary artery disease — the most common form of heart disease worldwide. This integration is expected to improve patient outcomes by providing physicians with clearer insights into vascular conditions, facilitating better-informed clinical decisions.
Significance for Heart Disease Treatment
Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Advances in AI and image-guided therapy provide promising avenues for improving patient care. With SpectraWAVE’s high-resolution vascular mapping, combined with Philips’ established expertise and global reach, the treatment landscape for heart disease patients is set to evolve significantly.
Looking Ahead
Philips’ acquisition of SpectraWAVE reflects a broader trend of healthcare companies investing in AI technologies to refine medical diagnostics and treatments. As heart disease continues to pose substantial health challenges, innovations like these highlight the critical role of technology in advancing patient care.
Reporting by ANP and NL Times
