Bayer MaterialScience to present small mechanical injection pump that fits comfortably into one’s breast pocket at the K 2013 trade fair

Long-standing partner to the medical technology industry

Leverkusen, 15-8-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — More and more people dream of being able to live for a long time in familiar surroundings even at an advanced age. However, certain illnesses necessitate longer hospital stays or frequent visits to the doctor – such as when medicines have to be taken regularly and in a controlled environment. This limits mobility and patient happiness. In addition, such therapy results in a cost burden for health insurers. Small, mobile devices that patients wear on their body or in their clothing are the solution here. Bayer MaterialScience supports the development of such outpatient treatment systems with substantial know-how, as well as with special polycarbonate-based plastics.

Among the items the company will present at the K 2013 trade fair is a small mechanical injection pump that fits comfortably into one’s breast pocket. Patients can thus administer their own medicines with high dosing accuracy. This gives them both mobility and security. Although the entirely mechanically operated injection pump has not yet been granted regulatory approval, it is a good example of the possibilities offered by mobile medication systems.

“To realize the pump’s compact design, a high-tech material was required that satisfied stringent demands and is approved for this use,” explains Dr. Berit Stange, an expert in medical technology applications at Bayer MaterialScience. Makrolon® Rx proved to be particularly well-suited for this purpose; all housing components are made of this material. Thanks to the material’s transparency, patients can immediately check the filling level of the medicine.

The pump must often withstand impacts in everyday use. Also in this respect, polycarbonate is the material of choice thanks to its high impact strength and durability. The material can also be sterilized through high-energy radiation and is resistant to a broad spectrum of pharmaceuticals.

Another highlight at K 2013 is an insulin pen made of the Bayblend® M850XF polycarbonate blend. This small device with the size and appearance of a ball-point pen makes life easier for people who suffer from diabetes, a widespread disease in modern society. They can administer the desired dose of the medicine to themselves in a simple and user-friendly manner. The plastic is particularly well suited for injection molding of thin-walled components such as those used here.

A reliable partner to the medical technology industry
Bayer MaterialScience has been a reliable partner to the medical technology sector for more than three decades. “Our success is based not least on the trust we have built up with many well-known manufacturers, mainly in the form of exclusive development partnerships,” says Berit Stange. According to Stange, that also includes taking into consideration the special needs of this industry – including primarily supply security of the products and their long-term availability in identical formulations. Bayer MaterialScience ensures both of these aspects.

All materials offered by the company for the medical technology sector satisfy the biocompatibility requirements established by the USP Class VI and ISO 10993-1 standards, and are approved for contact with bodily fluids.

About Bayer MaterialScience:
With 2012 sales of EUR 11.5 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2012, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 14,500 people around the globe. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company.

This news release is available for download from the Bayer MaterialScience press server at www.press.bayerbms.com. A photo is available there for download as well. Please mind the source of the picture.

The company plans to exhibit these developments at K 2013 in Düsseldorf from October 16 to 23, 2013.

Further information on Bayer MaterialScience’s participation at the trade fair (Hall 6, Stand A 75), can be found at www.materialscience.bayer.com/en/K-Fair/Overview.aspx.

Find more information at www.materialscience.bayer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

###

Among the items the company will present at the K 2013 trade fair is a small mechanical injection pump that fits comfortably into one’s breast pocket. Patients can thus administer their own medicines and keep their mobility at an advanced age. All housing components are made of Makrolon® Rx. This product satisfies major bio-compatibility requirements and can be sterilized through high-energy radiation.