W. L. Gore to Acquire Conformal Medical, Expanding LAAO Portfolio
W. L. Gore & Associates has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Conformal Medical, a medical device company focused on next-generation left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) technology.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Why This Acquisition Matters?
The deal strengthens Gore’s push into adjacent endovascular therapies. It also adds a potentially transformative stroke-prevention device to Gore’s cardiac portfolio.
For Gore, this is not diversification.
It is portfolio reinforcement.
About the CLAAS AcuFORM System
Conformal’s lead asset is the investigational CLAAS AcuFORM System, a next-generation LAAO device.
Key design features:
Nitinol endoskeleton
Proprietary foam matrix implant
Designed to conform to a wide range of LAA anatomies
Only two device sizes
This design could simplify procedures significantly.
Potential Clinical Impact
The CLAAS AcuFORM System aims to change how LAAO is performed.
If successful, it could:
Enable same-day LAAO procedures
Reduce reliance on general anesthesia
Eliminate overnight hospital stays
Simplify sizing and deployment
The device is currently in clinical testing and not yet commercially available.
LAAO and the Growing AFib Burden
LAAO is a one-time procedure for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Its goal:
Prevent stroke-causing clots in the left atrial appendage
Reduce or eliminate long-term oral anticoagulant use
AFib is not a niche problem.
According to the American Heart Association:
More than 12 million people in the US are projected to have AFib by 2030
Stroke prevention remains a major unmet need.
What Gore Is Saying?
Gore leadership sees the device as strategically aligned. The company believes CLAAS AcuFORM fits naturally into its endovascular and cardiac portfolio, reinforcing its long-term focus on science-led innovation and patient outcomes.
What Conformal Medical Is Gaining?
For Conformal, the partnership accelerates scale.
The benefits include:
Gore’s global development and manufacturing capabilities
Established regulatory and clinical infrastructure
Worldwide distribution reach
The goal is clear: move faster from trials to patients.
Advisors on the Deal
For Gore:
Financial advisor: BDT & MSD Partners
Legal counsel: Davis Polk
For Conformal Medical:
Financial advisor: Piper Sandler
Legal counsel: Gunderson Dettmer
Bottom Line
This is a capability-driven acquisition, not a financial one. Gore gains a differentiated LAAO platform. Conformal gains scale, speed, and global reach. If the CLAAS AcuFORM System delivers clinically, this deal could reshape stroke prevention in AFib, and make LAAO simpler, faster, and more accessible.