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Boston Scientific Bets on WATCHMAN Growth Despite Market Slowdown
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Key Takeaways
BSX is investing in WATCHMAN education and clinical trials to expand adoption despite softer demand.
CHAMPION-AF met key endpoints, while the next-generation WATCHMAN Elite is slated for launch in 2029.
WATCHMAN sales face a projected sequential decline in Q3 2026, with no market improvement assumed for 2027.
Boston Scientific’s (BSX - Free Report) WATCHMAN is the global leader in percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and serves as a proven non-pharmacologic alternative to oral anticoagulants. The company continues to invest in physician education, commercial resources and patient outreach to improve awareness and expand adoption. More than 200 medical education events during the second and third quarters reached over 2,000 referring and implanting physicians.
The CHAMPION-AF trial met its primary and secondary endpoints, supporting WATCHMAN’s potential as an alternative to oral anticoagulants for a broader atrial fibrillation population. Boston Scientific also began enrolment in the Elite AF trial to evaluate its next-generation WATCHMAN Elite platform, targeted for launch in 2029. These clinical advancements and commercial initiatives could expand the addressable patient population and support adoption over time.
Despite the positive developments, Boston Scientific’s WATCHMAN franchise continues to face slowing demand as evolving clinical evidence affects patient identification and physician referrals. Global WATCHMAN sales are expected to decline at a low-single-digit rate sequentially in the third quarter of 2026. The company assumes no improvement in current market conditions during 2027, with a new competitive product launch adding further risk.
Peer Update
Abbott's (ABT - Free Report) Electrophysiology business delivered mid-teens to high-teens growth in the third quarter of 2026, excluding the impact of LAA products. Performance in the United States was primarily driven by increasing adoption of the new Volt pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter, with momentum gaining further traction in September following its transition to a full U.S. market release in mid-August. International growth also accelerated, supported by continued market share gains in Europe. Increasing adoption of the new PFA catheters, along with growth across other categories in Abbott's broad electrophysiology portfolio, contributed to the improvement.
During the quarter, Abbott received FDA approval earlier than expected for its TactiFlex Duo catheter. Additionally, Abbott received CE Mark approval for its Amulet 360 left atrial appendage device, designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Edwards Lifesciences’ (EW - Free Report) Surgical Structural Heart business pioneered the innovative RESILIA tissue, which is backed by more than 40 years of the company’s tissue technology leadership. Surgical Structural Heart sales increased 3% year over year to $264 million in the third quarter, driven by continued adoption of the RESILIA portfolio. During the third quarter, AUTUS became the first FDA-approved surgical pulmonary valve specifically designed for pediatric anatomy. The company also advanced the U.S. rollout of ECLIPTIS, its surgical left atrial appendage technology, with a focus on physician training and procedural excellence to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
BSX Stock Price Performance
Shares of Boston Scientific have lost 57% over the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 20.8%. The S&P 500 composite has grown 11.4% over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Boston Scientific’s Valuation
From a valuation standpoint, BSX trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio (P/S) of 3.15X, above the industry mean of 2.34X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Consensus Estimate Trend for BSX
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BSX’s 2026 earnings has moved south 2.5% over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BSX stock currently has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Boston Scientific Bets on WATCHMAN Growth Despite Market Slowdown
Key Takeaways
Boston Scientific’s (BSX - Free Report) WATCHMAN is the global leader in percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and serves as a proven non-pharmacologic alternative to oral anticoagulants. The company continues to invest in physician education, commercial resources and patient outreach to improve awareness and expand adoption. More than 200 medical education events during the second and third quarters reached over 2,000 referring and implanting physicians.
The CHAMPION-AF trial met its primary and secondary endpoints, supporting WATCHMAN’s potential as an alternative to oral anticoagulants for a broader atrial fibrillation population. Boston Scientific also began enrolment in the Elite AF trial to evaluate its next-generation WATCHMAN Elite platform, targeted for launch in 2029. These clinical advancements and commercial initiatives could expand the addressable patient population and support adoption over time.
Despite the positive developments, Boston Scientific’s WATCHMAN franchise continues to face slowing demand as evolving clinical evidence affects patient identification and physician referrals. Global WATCHMAN sales are expected to decline at a low-single-digit rate sequentially in the third quarter of 2026. The company assumes no improvement in current market conditions during 2027, with a new competitive product launch adding further risk.
Peer Update
Abbott's (ABT - Free Report) Electrophysiology business delivered mid-teens to high-teens growth in the third quarter of 2026, excluding the impact of LAA products. Performance in the United States was primarily driven by increasing adoption of the new Volt pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter, with momentum gaining further traction in September following its transition to a full U.S. market release in mid-August. International growth also accelerated, supported by continued market share gains in Europe. Increasing adoption of the new PFA catheters, along with growth across other categories in Abbott's broad electrophysiology portfolio, contributed to the improvement.
During the quarter, Abbott received FDA approval earlier than expected for its TactiFlex Duo catheter. Additionally, Abbott received CE Mark approval for its Amulet 360 left atrial appendage device, designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Edwards Lifesciences’ (EW - Free Report) Surgical Structural Heart business pioneered the innovative RESILIA tissue, which is backed by more than 40 years of the company’s tissue technology leadership. Surgical Structural Heart sales increased 3% year over year to $264 million in the third quarter, driven by continued adoption of the RESILIA portfolio. During the third quarter, AUTUS became the first FDA-approved surgical pulmonary valve specifically designed for pediatric anatomy. The company also advanced the U.S. rollout of ECLIPTIS, its surgical left atrial appendage technology, with a focus on physician training and procedural excellence to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
BSX Stock Price Performance
Shares of Boston Scientific have lost 57% over the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 20.8%. The S&P 500 composite has grown 11.4% over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Boston Scientific’s Valuation
From a valuation standpoint, BSX trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio (P/S) of 3.15X, above the industry mean of 2.34X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Consensus Estimate Trend for BSX
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BSX’s 2026 earnings has moved south 2.5% over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BSX stock currently has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.