May 1, 2023 — Picard Medical, Inc. (“Picard Medical”), the parent company of SynCardia Systems, LLC (“SynCardia”), a global leader in mechanical heart replacement technology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Altitude Acquisition Corp. (“Altitude”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, that will result in Picard Medical becoming a publicly listed company.
Upon closing of the transaction, Altitude will be renamed Picard Medical Holdings, Inc. and is expected to remain listed on Nasdaq.
SynCardia manufactures, sells, and markets the world’s first and only FDA approved and commercially available Total Artificial Heart (“TAH”) to replace the full functions of a failing or failed human heart caused by end-stage, biventricular heart failure. SynCardia’s products are approved for use in many countries, including the United States and Canada. SynCardia is working with regulatory authorities to have its CE mark reinstated under EU MDR for most European Union countries. SynCardia has successfully completed over 2,000 implants at over 140 hospitals, prolonging the lives of patients facing terminal outcomes with few alternative treatment options available.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and has resulted in 64.3 million heart failure patients worldwide. SynCardia’s TAH has been designed to address the growing and unmet needs of this patient population, which represents a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity.
In the United States alone, there are approximately 6.2 million cases of heart failure annually, leading to over 380,000 deaths and $30.7 billion in medical costs. The only definitive therapy for end-stage heart failure is heart transplantation, and it is estimated that 300,000 patients currently require this treatment option. Due to a limited supply of donor hearts, little more than 3,000 (or approximately 1%) of these patients will receive a heart transplant. There remains a significant need for a reliable mechanical heart replacement solution to address this shortfall and SynCardia’s TAH is the only FDA approved option available to satisfy this growing and unmet need in the United States.
Internationally, there remains a substantial and growing market opportunity to provide end-stage heart failure patients with wider access to TAH replacement therapy. SynCardia’s TAH has produced strong clinical results, shown proven efficacy, and is able to treat a broader range of patients in this population compared to competing TAH products. SynCardia is expanding its manufacturing capabilities, pursuing regulatory approvals, and training new physicians across key growth regions, including China, India, and the Middle East.
SynCardia projects substantial growth in 2023, with sales expected to accelerate due to planned upgrades and new products, enhanced sales and marketing activities, international expansion, and pursuit of FDA approval of the Company’s existing TAH to a long-term indication. SynCardia is expected to achieve break-even profitability by 2024.
Management Comments
Gary Teplis, President & CEO of ALTU, commented: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Picard Medical in this transaction. SynCardia is a truly compelling opportunity to address a global health crisis and improve the lives of 64.3 million patients suffering from heart failure around the globe. The problem is just too big to ignore. Throughout its history, SynCardia has proven itself the leader in TAH technology and we have every confidence in its ability to execute on its growth plans, expand its addressable market and deliver positive therapeutic outcomes to those who need it the most.”
Richard Fang, PhD, CEO of Picard Medical, commented: “SynCardia has built a strong foundation as an industry leader and is currently approaching a unique inflection point where opportunities for growth are both clear and obtainable. Our business combination with ALTU will provide the necessary springboard to capitalize on these opportunities through investments designed to increase accessibility of the SynCardia TAH and continued development of next-generation technology. Our hope is to prolong and improve the lives of the growing number of heart failure patients throughout the world and we thank Gary and the Altitude shareholders for their support.”
Transaction Overview
The proposed transaction values Picard Medical at an enterprise value of $480 million, assuming no redemptions by Altitude Acquisition Corp. shareholders, and calls for the combined company to have at least $38 million in net cash at the time of closing. Existing Picard Medical equity holders will roll 100% of their equity into the combined public company.
Proceeds from the transaction are expected to accelerate SynCardia’s international expansion, support its pursuit of FDA approval for long-term indications, and advance research & development of next generation products.
The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both Altitude and Picard Medical. The transaction is expected to close in the third or fourth quarter of 2023 and is subject to the approval of the stockholders of Altitude and Picard Medical, and other customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will be consummated on the terms or timeframe currently contemplated, or at all.
For more information: www.gatewayir.com
April 09, 2024 
