Acera Surgical, a privately held bioscience company co-founded by WashU alumnus Dr. Matthew MacEwan, has been acquired by Solventum for $725 million plus up to $125 million in contingent cash payments based on the achievement of certain future milestones.
MacEwan is the co-inventor of Acera’s technology platform and is responsible for managing Acera’s IP and patent portfolio, conducting new product research, and designing and implementing clinical studies. He attended the Medical Scientist Training Program at Washington University School of Medicine and earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the McKelvey School of Engineering.
During his time at WashU, MacEwan won the Skandalaris Center’s Olin Cup competition for NanoMed, which used electrospun nanofiber materials to create a synthetic surgical mesh capable of repairing and replacing the tough protective membrane surrounding the brain/spinal cord.
The Skandalaris Center is proud to be on the Acera cap table as an early investor.
The following press release was published by PR Newswire on November 20, 2025.
ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Solventum (NYSE: SOLV) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Acera Surgical (Acera), a privately held bioscience company focused on developing and commercializing fully engineered materials for regenerative wound care for $725 million in cash plus up to $125 million in contingent cash payments based on the achievement of certain future milestones.
Founded in 2013, Acera has developed and commercialized innovative synthetic treatment options for soft tissue repair, leveraging a proprietary electrospinning technology platform. The company’s leading Restrata® products are currently available in the U.S. and used to treat hard-to-heal, complex wounds in acute care settings.
Acera’s innovation engine and commercial footprint align with Solventum’s leadership in advanced wound care, its clinical relationships and go-to-market capabilities. The combination is expected to enable accelerated adoption of Restrata® products in the acute care market and generate synergies by leveraging Solventum’s global footprint, specialized wound care sales force, and leadership in negative pressure wound therapy.
“Regenerative wound care is an exciting and fast-growing space, and Acera has innovative technology to meet a significant unmet need in acute wound care,” said Bryan Hanson, chief executive officer of Solventum. “Expanding our advanced wound care portfolio into the high-growth synthetic tissue matrices category complements solutions within our existing portfolio and enhances the options our specialized commercial team can provide doctors, nurses, and decision makers within acute care settings.
Hanson continued, “This is another bold step in our three-phased transformation plan. Our strong financial performance and the strength of our balance sheet have enabled us to move quickly with our first tuck-in acquisition and the announcement of our first share repurchase program. With Solventum’s broad market presence, depth of clinical partnerships and commitment to advancing healthcare, we are confident this acquisition will create significant value for patients, clinicians and shareholders.”
Acera is expected to generate approximately $90 million in sales in 2025. On an adjusted basis, excluding the potential impact of share repurchases made under the repurchase program announced today, the transaction is expected to be slightly dilutive to adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in 2026 and accretive to adjusted EPS beginning in 2027. Solventum plans to use its cash on hand to finance the transaction, with no additional debt or use of its credit line, and expects to complete the transaction in the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Solventum and McDermott Will & Schulte LLP is acting as legal advisor. Truist Securities is serving as financial advisor to Acera and Hogan Lovells US LLP is acting as legal advisor.
About Solventum
At Solventum, we enable better, smarter, safer healthcare to improve lives. As a new company with a long legacy of creating breakthrough solutions for our customers’ toughest challenges, we pioneer game-changing innovations at the intersection of health, materials and data science that change patients’ lives for the better — while empowering healthcare professionals to perform at their best. See how at Solventum.com.