INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 20 -- Vertellus Biomaterials
("Vertellus"), a subsidiary of the Health and Specialty Products division
of Indianapolis-based Vertellus Specialties Inc., a leading specialty
chemicals company, is pleased to announce the signing of a long-term,
global licence and supply agreement with Sorin Group Italia Srl ("Sorin").
The agreement, which runs until the end of 2012, covers the supply of
Vertellus' PC Technology(TM) to Sorin for coating cardiopulmonary bypass
equipment used during open heart surgery.
"Our expansion into the cardiopulmonary market was a strategic aim when
we acquired the PC Technology in 2006," said Neil McLoughlin, Vice
President, Vertellus Biomaterials. "Today's agreement both validates that
investment decision and gives us a good base from which to further develop
this unique and exclusive technology into other high value and specialised
medical areas."
"Sorin is the world leader in cardiac surgery equipment and continues
to launch innovative products," said Dr. Mike Driver, Business Director of
Vertellus Biomaterials. "Sorin's use of Vertellus' PC Technology is a major
endorsement for us and I am delighted we have entered into this agreement."
Paolo Benatti, Chief Executive of Sorin Group Italia commented, "The
agreement signed with Vertellus confirms our intention to continue
supplying products for extracorporeal circulation with improved features
and biocompatibility for our patients' benefit."
In December 2006, Sorin launched the world’s smallest oxygenator, the DIDECO D100 KIDS™, designed exclusively for neonates requiring open-heart surgery. The product, which also utilises a PC coating, has a significantly reduced extracorporeal circuit priming volume which leads to lower hemodilution.
PC Technology is a proprietary portfolio of innovative biocompatible
polymers containing phosphorylcholine (PC). These materials have been shown
to reduce biofouling and to improve the performance of medical devices.
Vertellus in-licensed the PC Technology from Biocompatibles UK Ltd in 2006
and established a Biomaterials business unit in Herriard, Hampshire UK.
When a foreign material is placed in the body, it immediately begins to
"reject" the material, coating it with proteins, lipids and cells from the
surrounding fluids. PC inhibits this process by binding water tightly
around itself, forming a barrier between the body and the coated material.
As a result, when PC is coated on or incorporated into a material:
- Protein and lipid deposition is decreased;
- Adhesion of bacteria and other micro-organisms is discouraged;
- Biofilm and clot formation is minimised;
- Inflammatory response is reduced; and
- Fibrous capsule generation is diminished.
PC Technology materials have proven themselves in many applications,
including contact lenses, coronary stents and urological catheters.
About Vertellus Specialities Inc.
Vertellus Specialties Inc. is a specialty chemicals company focused on
the manufacture of ingredients used in pharmaceuticals, personal care,
nutrition, agriculture, and a host of other market areas affected by trends
favoring "green" technologies and chemistries. Vertellus is the #1 global
producer of pyridine and picolines, specialty pyridine derivatives, DEET,
castor oil derivatives and systems, and citrate polymer additives and
systems, and the world's #2 producer of Vitamin B-3. Vertellus Specialties
benefits from a technically advanced global manufacturing base and has
approximately 750 employees. The Company is headquartered in Indianapolis,
Indiana. For more information, visit http://www.vertellus.com
About Vertellus Biomaterials
Vertellus Biomaterials division, based in Hampshire in the UK, is part
of Vertellus Specialties' Health and Specialty Products business and is
focused on the development of new biocompatible materials designed to add
value in healthcare and industrial applications. Key activities undertaken
include coating process development, surface characterisation and new
product design. The division's well-equipped office and laboratory
facility, which was purpose-built from new and completed earlier his year,
works under an ISO 9001:2000 quality management system and is designed to
provide world-class support to customers -- primarily companies working in
healthcare markets. For more information, visit http://www.pcbiomaterials.com
For more information on Sorin Group please visit www.dideco.it and www.sorin.com
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