Baxter International vs Boston Scientific: Founders, CEOs and History

Company facts

Founders

CEOs and their tenures

Timeline: Baxter International and Boston Scientific side by side

1. 1931Baxter International

   Founding of Don Baxter Intravenous Products

   Dr. Ralph Falk and Dr. Donald Baxter establish company in Illinois to produce commercial sterile IV solutions.

2. 1933Baxter International

   Introduction of the Vacoliter Container

   Pioneers the first sterile vacuum-sealed glass bottle for IV solutions, setting a modern clinical standard.

3. 1941Baxter International

   World War II Blood and IV Supply

   Supplies millions of sterile intravenous units and blood collection packs to Allied military medical units.

4. 1956Baxter International

   Launch of First Commercial Dialysis Machine

   Pioneers artificial kidney technology, introducing the first commercially built hemodialysis system.

5. 1961Baxter International

   Initial Public Offering on NYSE

   Lists on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol BAX, funding international manufacturing plants.

6. 1971Baxter International

   Launch of VIAFLEX Plastic IV Bag

   Invents the world's first flexible plastic IV container, permanently replacing fragile glass bottles globally.

7. 1979Boston Scientific

   Boston Scientific Founded

   John Abele and Pete Nicholas establish Boston Scientific in Watertown, MA to pioneer less-invasive medical devices.

8. 1992Boston Scientific

   Initial Public Offering on NYSE

   Lists on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol BSX, raising capital for global expansion.

9. 1995Boston Scientific

   Acquisition of SCIMED Life Systems

   Acquires SCIMED for $850M, establishing undisputed market leadership in interventional coronary angioplasty.

10. 1998Baxter International

    Acquisition of Immuno International

    Expands plasma-derived therapies and surgical biosurgery products, including TISSEEL fibrin sealant.

11. 2004Boston Scientific

    Launch of Blockbuster TAXUS Stent

    Introduces the TAXUS Express paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent, driving annual sales past $5 billion.

12. 2005Baxter International

    Acquisition of Transfusion Technologies

    Strengthens blood collection and separation technologies for clinical transfusion medicine.

13. 2006Boston Scientific

    Landmark $27B Acquisition of Guidant

    Acquires cardiac rhythm management leader Guidant, entering pacemakers, defibrillators, and heart failure devices.

14. 2011Boston Scientific

    CE Mark for WATCHMAN Device

    Receives European approval for the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure device for stroke prevention.

15. 2012Boston Scientific

    Michael F. Mahoney Appointed CEO

    Michael Mahoney assumes leadership, initiating a comprehensive operational turnaround and portfolio revitalization.

16. 2015Baxter International

    Spinoff of Baxalta for $32B

    Spins off high-growth biopharmaceuticals and hemophilia business as Baxalta (later acquired by Shire/Takeda).

17. 2015Boston Scientific

    FDA Approval of WATCHMAN

    Secures landmark FDA approval for WATCHMAN, launching commercial stroke prevention in US cardiac patients.

18. 2016Baxter International

    José E. Almeida Appointed CEO

    José Almeida takes leadership as Chairman & CEO, initiating operational modernization and disciplined capital allocation.

19. 2019Boston Scientific

    Acquisition of BTG for $4.2B

    Expands into interventional oncology, vascular medicine, and specialized medical antidotes.

20. 2021Baxter International

    Acquisition of Hillrom for $10.5B

    Acquires connected care pioneer Hillrom, adding smart hospital beds, patient monitoring, and Welch Allyn diagnostics.

21. 2021Boston Scientific

    Acquisition of Farapulse

    Acquires Farapulse to secure the world's leading pulsed field ablation platform for cardiac arrhythmias.

22. 2022Baxter International

    FDA Clearance for Novum IQ Infusion Platform

    Secures FDA clearance for next-generation Novum IQ large-volume smart infusion pump with Dose IQ software.

23. 2023Boston Scientific

    Acquisition of Relievant Medsystems

    Adds the Intracept intraosseous nerve ablation system for vertebrogenic chronic low back pain.

24. 2024Baxter International

    Spinoff of Vantive Kidney Care for $3.8B

    Agrees to sell Kidney Care business (Vantive) to Carlyle for $3.8B, sharpening focus on core hospital care.

25. 2024Baxter International

    Annual Revenue Reaches $14.8B

    Generates robust revenue with expanding adjusted operating margins and accelerated balance sheet debt paydown.

26. 2024Boston Scientific

    FDA Clearance of FARAPULSE PFA System

    Secures historic FDA approval for FARAPULSE, transforming atrial fibrillation ablation across the US.

27. 2024Boston Scientific

    Acquisition of Axonics for $3.7B

    Agrees to acquire Axonics to capture global market leadership in sacral neuromodulation for pelvic health.

28. 2024Boston Scientific

    Annual Revenue Reaches $14.2B

    Achieves record financial performance with double-digit organic growth, serving 37 million patients worldwide.

Questions about Baxter International vs Boston Scientific