Vertellus Specialties UK Ltd (“Vertellus”), a subsidiary of Indianapolis-based Vertellus Specialties Inc., a leading specialty chemicals company, is pleased to announce the signing of a new five-year agreement with Eurosets s.r.l. (“Eurosets”). The deal includes the supply of Vertellus’ PC Technology™ coating to Eurosets for application on equipment used in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and on-going technical support.
“Eurosets is developing exciting products for use during cardiac surgery,” said Dr. Mike Driver, Business Director of Vertellus Biomaterials. “I am delighted that Eurosets chose Vertellus’ PC Technology to further optimise the performance of its products.”
“We are proud to be associated with the well-proven and outstanding Vertellus PC biomaterials for our state-of-the-art family of oxygenators and related ancillary cardiopulmonary products. Users and patients will greatly benefit from this strong association of technologies,” said Stefano Foschieri, Chief Executive Officer of Eurosets.
Eurosets has recently launched its Admiral family of oxygenator systems which incorporate the PC coating technology under its AGILE™ (Advanced Generation Inert Layer ECC) trademark.
PC Technology is a proprietary portfolio of innovative biocompatible polymers containing phosphorylcholine (PC) that has been in-licensed by Vertellus from Biocompatibles UK Ltd. These materials have been shown to reduce biofouling and to improve the performance of medical devices.
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
- Fibrous capsule generation is diminished
PC Technology materials have proven themselves in many applications, including contact lenses, coronary stents and urological catheters.
About Vertellus Specialties 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.
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 well-equipped office and laboratory facility, which was purpose-build 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.
About Eurosets
Eurosets, formed in 1991, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of medical devices for autotransfusion, cardiac surgery and orthopaedic surgery. The Company has significant experience in the development of products for extracorporeal circulation, used in operating theatres, intensive care units and hospital wards. The Company has a skilled and well motivated team of R&D engineers and recently developed an innovative adult oxygenator, trademarked ‘Admiral’, used for mechanical lung support when the patient’s heart is stopped during cardiac by-pass surgery. Eurosets is registered as a “production company” of medical devices by the Italian Ministry of Health. Eurosets is located in the biomedical district of Medolla (MO).