Bayer MaterialScience (Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) has bundled its research into new medical applications for its polymers and coatings under the name “Baymedix”. The new developments in biomaterials – a lubricious coating for catheters and a polyurethane-based coating for timed drug release along with the new “Baymedix” foams for wound dressing and topical tissue adhesives will be part of the company’s presentation at "K 2010" (www.k-online.de).

Baymedix CL 100 lubricious coating combines a low coefficient with high durability and biocompatibility, BMS says. In particular, it helps reduce friction between the components of a medical device or between the device and a patient’s tissue. It can be adapted to many substrates but is considered especially suitable for application to elastomers used commonly in catheters, including polyether block amide (PEBAX), thermoplastic urethane (TPU) and polyamide (PA). Baymedix CD coatings are available for both rigid and flexible substrates, allowing them to be used on expandable stents. Along with polymeric substrates, the coating is said to provide good adhesion to metals.

In developing the new coatings, BMS says it is building on its experience in PU and PC; however, the Baymedix products will be marketed as part of its new biomaterials portfolio. The company says it intends to “aggressively grow” its medical business in the next few years through new products launches, increased marketing and enhanced customer support.