Artivion

Corporate brand

Artivion is a United States medical-device and biologic-tissue company focused on cardiac, vascular, and surgical products.

Last updated August 25, 2026

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Overview

Artivion, Inc. is a United States medical-device and biologic-tissue company whose products support cardiac and vascular surgery, tissue transplantation, and surgical bleeding control. The company originated in 1984 as CryoLife, founded in Sarasota, Florida, by Steven Anderson and Robert McNally. It initially built its business around the recovery, cryogenic preservation, processing, and distribution of human tissues for cardiovascular transplantation. The company later moved its headquarters to the Atlanta metropolitan area and expanded into proprietary surgical devices and adjunctive technologies. A central part of Artivion's portfolio is the processing of human cardiovascular tissue, including human heart valves. Its tissue technologies are designed to preserve donated biological material while reducing cellular components and antigens that may contribute to immune rejection. In 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the CryoValve SynerGraft Pulmonary Valve, described as a human-tissue heart valve using a decellularization approach intended to reduce the amount of donor cellular material remaining in the graft. This work positioned the company at the intersection of tissue banking, transplantation, and cardiovascular-device development. Artivion also develops products that do not depend on donated human tissue. BioGlue, introduced by the company in 2000, is a surgical adhesive used to seal and reinforce tissue during procedures, including operations involving vessels exposed to high pressure. The company later added hemostatic and mechanical-valve technologies. In 2010, it obtained manufacturing and distribution rights for PerClot, an absorbable hemostatic powder used to help control surgical bleeding. In 2016, it acquired On-X Life Technologies and its On-X aortic mechanical heart valve, broadening its cardiac-surgery offering. In 2017, it acquired German medical-device developer JOTEC GmbH, adding products for aortic and peripheral vascular disease. The 2020 acquisition of Ascyrus Medical further expanded the company's presence in aortic surgery. The company changed its corporate name from CryoLife to Artivion in January 2022. The new name reflected a broader identity extending beyond cryopreserved tissue and encompassing cardiovascular devices, surgical technologies, and biologic solutions. PerClot remained part of the company's product history after the rebranding: Baxter International agreed to acquire the product in 2021, and the transaction was completed in 2023 after final United States regulatory approval of the product. Artivion's business is therefore organized around specialized, procedure-oriented healthcare products rather than consumer branding. Its major areas include human tissue grafts and valves, mechanical heart valves, aortic and peripheral vascular devices, surgical adhesives, and hemostatic systems. The company primarily serves hospitals, surgeons, transplant programs, cardiovascular specialists, and other institutional healthcare customers. Its public-facing identity emphasizes technologies intended to support complex cardiovascular and vascular procedures, with a portfolio spanning biologic materials, implantable devices, and surgical adjuncts.

History

Artivion began in 1984 as CryoLife in Sarasota, Florida. Steven Anderson and Robert McNally founded the company, with Anderson serving as president and chief executive officer from its founding. The original business centered on cardiovascular tissue recovery, cryogenic preservation, processing, and distribution for transplant applications. The company subsequently relocated to the Atlanta metropolitan area and developed a wider medical-technology portfolio. In 2000, CryoLife began offering BioGlue, a surgical adhesive intended to seal and reinforce tissue during operations. It was particularly relevant to procedures involving high-pressure vessels such as arteries. The product gave the company a proprietary surgical technology alongside its tissue-preservation operations. The company's work in biologic heart valves advanced in 2008, when the FDA approved the CryoValve SynerGraft Pulmonary Valve. The valve used human tissue that had undergone a process intended to remove cells and associated antigens, rather than relying only on conventional tissue cleaning. The regulatory decision characterized the approach as potentially reducing the likelihood of rejection compared with earlier valves. CryoLife expanded into surgical hemostasis in 2010 by obtaining rights to manufacture and distribute PerClot, an absorbable hemostatic powder used in surgery. It strengthened its cardiac-device business in January 2016 by acquiring On-X Life Technologies for $130 million. The transaction added the On-X aortic mechanical heart valve and broadened the company beyond biologic tissue products. In October 2017, CryoLife acquired JOTEC GmbH, a German developer of devices for aortic and peripheral vascular disease, for €225 million. This acquisition added European-origin vascular technologies and reinforced the company's focus on complex cardiovascular procedures. In September 2020, CryoLife acquired Ascyrus Medical, another step toward expanding its aortic-surgery capabilities. Regulatory and portfolio developments continued around PerClot. In 2021, the company received FDA premarket-application approval for the PerClot absorbable hemostatic system, consisting of PerClot granules and a delivery system. Baxter International agreed to buy PerClot during the same year. The sale was completed in 2023 after final FDA approval of the product. In January 2022, CryoLife changed its corporate name to Artivion, Inc. The rebranding reflected the company's evolution from a tissue-preservation specialist into a broader cardiovascular and vascular medical-technology business. Under the Artivion name, the portfolio encompasses cryopreserved human tissues, biologic heart valves, mechanical valves, aortic and peripheral vascular devices, surgical adhesives, and bleeding-control products. The company serves hospitals and specialist clinicians in cardiovascular, vascular, transplant, and surgical settings.

2023
PerClot sale to Baxter is completed
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
Baxter completed its purchase of PerClot after final FDA approval.
2022
Corporate name changes to Artivion
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
CryoLife adopted the Artivion, Inc. name.
2021
PerClot system receives FDA premarket approval
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
The FDA approved the PerClot absorbable hemostatic system, including granules and a delivery system.
2020
Ascyrus Medical acquired
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
CryoLife acquired Ascyrus Medical to strengthen its aortic-surgery business.
2017
JOTEC acquired
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
The company acquired JOTEC GmbH for €225 million, expanding into aortic and peripheral vascular devices.
2016
On-X Life Technologies acquired
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
CryoLife acquired On-X Life Technologies for $130 million, adding the On-X aortic mechanical heart valve.
2010
PerClot rights acquired
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
CryoLife obtained manufacturing and distribution rights for PerClot absorbable hemostatic powder.
2008
FDA approves CryoValve SynerGraft Pulmonary Valve
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
The FDA approved a human-tissue pulmonary valve processed to remove cellular material and antigens.
2000
BioGlue enters the portfolio
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
CryoLife began offering BioGlue surgical adhesive for sealing and reinforcing tissue during surgery.
1984
CryoLife is founded
[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
Steven Anderson and Robert McNally founded CryoLife in Sarasota, Florida, establishing the business that later became Artivion.

Products and positioning

A specialized cardiovascular and vascular medical-technology company combining human-tissue transplantation products with implantable devices, surgical adhesives, and bleeding-control technologies.

Biologic tissue transplantation · 1984
Cryopreserved human cardiovascular tissues
Artivion's heritage business involves human tissues recovered for cardiovascular and vascular transplantation, then preserved and processed for clinical use. The portfolio includes tissue grafts and related biologic materials used by specialist surgical and transplant teams.
Human tissue heart valve · 2008
CryoValve SynerGraft Pulmonary Valve
This human-tissue pulmonary valve was approved by the FDA in 2008. Its processing approach was designed to remove cellular material and antigens from the donated tissue, with the stated aim of reducing the potential for immune rejection compared with earlier tissue-processing methods.
Surgical adhesive · 2000
BioGlue
BioGlue is a surgical adhesive used to seal and reinforce tissue during operations. The product is associated with cardiovascular and vascular surgery, including procedures involving vessels exposed to substantial internal pressure. CryoLife began offering it in 2000.
Mechanical heart valve
On-X aortic mechanical heart valve
The On-X aortic valve is a mechanical heart-valve product acquired through Artivion's 2016 purchase of On-X Life Technologies. It expanded the company's cardiac portfolio beyond human-tissue valves and remains one of the best-known products associated with the On-X business.
Hemostatic system · 2010
PerClot
PerClot is an absorbable hemostatic product used to help control bleeding during surgery. The FDA-approved system included PerClot granules and a delivery system. Artivion agreed to sell the product to Baxter International in 2021, and the transaction was completed in 2023.
Aortic and peripheral vascular devices · 2017
JOTEC vascular devices
The JOTEC portfolio entered the company through the 2017 acquisition of German developer JOTEC GmbH. It covers medical devices for aortic and peripheral vascular diseases and strengthened Artivion's position in specialist vascular surgery.

Brand decisions

2022
Rebrand from CryoLife to ArtivionStrategy
Background
The former CryoLife identity was closely associated with cryopreserved tissue, while the business had expanded into devices, surgical adhesives, valves, and vascular technologies.
Action taken
The company changed its corporate name to Artivion, Inc.
Aftermath
Artivion became the umbrella identity for the company's cardiovascular, vascular, tissue, and surgical-technology businesses.
Source
2021
Agree to sell PerClot to BaxterM&A
Background
Artivion agreed to transfer its PerClot absorbable hemostatic product to Baxter International.
Action taken
Baxter agreed to acquire PerClot, with completion dependent on final regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The transaction was completed in 2023 after final FDA approval of the product.
Source
2017
Acquire JOTEC GmbHM&A
Background
The company aimed to broaden its presence in aortic and peripheral vascular disease treatment.
Action taken
CryoLife acquired German medical-device developer JOTEC GmbH for €225 million.
Aftermath
JOTEC's aortic and peripheral vascular technologies became part of the company's expanded device portfolio.
Acquisition price. €225 million (2017)
Source
2016
Acquire On-X Life TechnologiesM&A
Background
CryoLife sought to expand its cardiac-device business beyond cryopreserved tissue products.
Action taken
The company acquired On-X Life Technologies and its principal On-X aortic mechanical heart-valve product for $130 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition added a mechanical heart-valve line to CryoLife's cardiovascular portfolio.
Acquisition price. $130 million (2016)
Source

Recent events

2023
Baxter completes acquisition of PerClot[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Regulation
The PerClot transaction was completed after final United States regulatory approval of the product.
2022
CryoLife changes its name to Artivion[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
Other
The company adopted the Artivion name as part of a broader corporate identity beyond cryopreserved tissue.
2021
Baxter agrees to acquire PerClot[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Baxter International agreed to purchase Artivion's PerClot absorbable hemostatic product.
2020
CryoLife acquires Ascyrus Medical[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
M&A
CryoLife acquired Ascyrus Medical, expanding its aortic-surgery portfolio.
2017
CryoLife acquires JOTEC[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The company acquired German medical-device developer JOTEC GmbH, adding technologies for aortic and peripheral vascular disease.
2016
CryoLife acquires On-X Life Technologies[1]Artivionen.wikipedia.org
M&A
CryoLife acquired On-X Life Technologies and its On-X aortic mechanical heart-valve business for $130 million.

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