Edwards Lifesciences’ Financial Relationships with U.S. Physicians

Edwards Lifesciences was built on a foundation of collaboration with physicians. More than 50 years ago, an engineer and a physician began working together to develop the world’s first commercially available heart valve. The partnership between our founder, Miles “Lowell” Edwards, and Dr. Albert Starr was the catalyst for developing a series of heart valve technologies that have transformed patient care and kept Edwards’ products at the forefront of innovation. Today, the continued evolution of medical technology at Edwards remains dependent on these important relationships. In addition, physicians around the world rely on training and education sponsored by Edwards to help advance their understanding of the latest developments in medical techniques. The best trainers of physicians are usually other physicians, and Edwards is proud to provide funding to facilitate that sharing of expertise. Our relationships with physicians cover a broad spectrum, including: Proctoring/training/speaking arrangements in which physicians provide “hands-on” training or educational lectures to other physicians; Research agreements in which physicians provide expert medical advice and knowledge regarding Edwards’ products and services; and/or Royalty/licensing arrangements in which physicians assist Edwards in the design, development and patenting of new medical technologies.

Dr. Albert Starr has partnered with Edwards for decades since co-inventing the first commercially available heart valve in 1958.