The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) achieved a significant victory by preventing Edwards Lifesciences Corp. from acquiring JenaValve Technology, Inc. This decision aims to lower healthcare costs and enhance access to critical medical devices for American patients.

On January 9, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted the FTC a preliminary injunction after a six-day trial, effectively blocking the acquisition. The FTC had challenged the deal in August 2025, arguing that it would reduce competition in the market for transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices (TAVR-AR devices), which are essential for treating aortic regurgitation.

FTC Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera praised the court's decision, emphasizing that it preserves competition between Edwards and JenaValve, which is crucial for innovation and treatment options for patients with serious heart conditions. The FTC remains committed to enforcing antitrust laws to protect consumers and improve healthcare quality.

Edwards had previously acquired JC Medical, another competitor in the TAVR-AR market, and its proposed $945 million acquisition of JenaValve would have combined the only two companies conducting clinical trials for TAVR-AR devices in the U.S. The FTC argued that this merger would stifle innovation, lower product quality, and potentially raise prices for consumers.

This victory is part of a broader FTC initiative to safeguard American patients and reduce healthcare costs, which includes recent actions against improper patent listings that hinder generic competition in the pharmaceutical sector.

Following the court's ruling, Edwards announced that it would no longer pursue the acquisition of JenaValve.