Bayer expands in medical technology

NEWBURY, ENGLAND (Nov. 19, 1:05 p.m. ET) -- Bayer MaterialScience AG is buying PolyBioMed Ltd, based in Sheffield, England, to expand its portfolio in medical device coatings and materials. PolyBioMed, a subsidiary of Lombard Medical Technologies plc, provides polymer coatings, surface treatments and biomaterials to the medical device industry.

PolyBioMed will give BMS access to uses such as coronary drug-eluting stents plus catheter systems for interventional cardiology, urology and neurology. The aim is to provide innovative materials, which enhance the design, manufacture and end-use performance of a variety of medical devices.

BMS said it wants to further develop its own polyurethane-based hydrophilic coatings for medical devices in combination with PolyBioMed's technologies. This will allow it to offer an extended portfolio of both permanent and biodegradable surface modification techniques.

“This acquisition complements our existing portfolio of coatings technologies for the medical device industry and offers us a significant foothold in this large and growing segment,” said Hans-Wilhelm Engels, BMS senior vice president for coatings, adhesives & specialties, in a Nov. 19 news release. Engels added that the group, “will be investing further in coatings application and testing facilities which will significantly expand our services to customers.”

Included in the deal are the rights to more than 75 patents and patent applications.

“Acquiring PolyBioMed’s coatings and surface treatment technologies will allow us to address unmet needs such as improved coatings adhesion on plastics or metal surfaces used in many medical devices,” commented Michael Mager, head of BMS medical coatings & adhesives.

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