Olympus to Buy BioProtect for $270 Million

Olympus has begun a deal to acquire BioProtect, a company aiming to advance cancer care through innovative spacing solutions.

The deal marks an expansion in Olympus’ oncology and urology businesses. Valued at $270 million, the transaction’s completion is anticipated by the end of Q2 2026.

BioProtect develops implant technologies to improve prostate cancer care and boost patients’ quality of life. Its flagship Balloon Spacer system provides consistent spacing between the prostate and other critical structures to protect healthy tissues during prostate cancer radiation therapies. After treatment, the implant biodegrades.

After being launched in 2023, the Balloon Spacer has been used in over 11,000 procedures globally. Studies indicated that the device contributes to preserving gastrointestinal, urinary and sexual functions for patients.

“We are pleased to welcome BioProtect to Olympus,” said Seiji Kuramoto, executive officer and Surgical and Interventional Solutions division head at Olympus. “BioProtect brings a highly differentiated solution to prostate cancer care, with a compelling clinical value proposition and early commercial success. By combining BioProtect’s strengths with Olympus’ global reach and relationships with healthcare professionals, we believe we can expand access to solutions that support better patient outcomes and help clinicians to advance the treatment of prostate cancer.”

Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed form of cancer in men—about 1.5 million patients are diagnosed annually and the global rectal spacer market is expected to have strong growth over the next decade. This transaction expands Olympus’ portfolio into adjacent areas to endoscopy, including the gastrointestinal and urological fields.

“BioProtect is extremely excited to join Olympus as a key part of the company’s continued expansion into urology and oncology,” said Itay Barnea, CEO of BioProtect. “We look forward to integrating our differentiated spacing technology into the overall portfolio of Olympus. This represents a significant advancement for BioProtect, our physician partners and ultimately the patients we serve, combining innovative technology, clinical excellence and commercial scale to expand access to high-quality care for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.”