Lubrizol Acquires Bavaria Medizin Technologie GmbH to Strengthen Portfolio with Proprietary Catheter and Balloon Technologies

On September 9, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that Lubrizol had acquired Bavaria Medizin Technologie GmbH (BMT) from its current majority shareholder, Custos Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, and minority shareholders through its German subsidiary, Lubrizol Deutschland GmbH. BMT is a research, development, and manufacturing company specializing in endovascular (coronary, peripheral, and cranial) and non-vascular devices, as well as drug-coated balloons.

This acquisition, leveraging Lubrizol’s expertise in precision thermoplastic extrusion and product development, establishes Lubrizol as a true end-to-end partner for the global medical device and pharmaceutical industries.

The acquisition of BMT has enriched Lubrizol’s expertise in product design, development, and manufacturing, while granting it access to BMT’s proprietary catheter and balloon technologies. BMT’s experience and reputation in the field of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) align well with Lubrizol’s drug CDMO business, positioning Lubrizol as an ideal partner for the development of next-generation DCBs.

BMT employs over 100 staff members, with its headquarters located near Munich, Germany, and a manufacturing facility in Sibiu, Romania. As a pioneer in catheter technology, BMT developed the first commercially available drug-coated balloon, the Paccocath catheter. Today, BMT holds more than 50 patents and continues to innovate through self-funded R&D projects and contract research services. Furthermore, BMT offers private-label manufacturing of proprietary catheters and balloons, as well as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) services, including the manufacturing of subassemblies and components, sterilization, packaging and labeling, stent crimping, and logistics management.

Uwe Winzen, General Manager of Lubrizol Life Science’s Health Business, stated, “Lubrizol will continue to invest in the life sciences sector and strive to become a full-service development partner for innovative Original Manufacturer Equipment (OME) in the interventional field, from which our customers will benefit.”

Lubrizol Life Science’s Health business team works closely with customers to bring innovative medical devices and differentiated pharmaceutical products to market. The team provides polymers and excipients, as well as product development and manufacturing services, with the ultimate goal of creating solutions that improve patient outcomes. Lubrizol Life Science’s core business is contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) for complex drugs and innovative medical devices. The company is committed to providing product development and contract manufacturing services, including those for polymers, excipients, and drug-eluting devices. With extensive experience in polymer manufacturing, Lubrizol Life Science is able to supply customers with specialized medical-grade materials.

Lubrizol is a global leader in specialty chemicals, providing additives to enhance product quality and offering technical services to customers in the global transportation, industrial, and consumer goods sectors. Additionally, Lubrizol produces ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals; special materials (including polymer and plastic technologies); and specialty resins and additives for specialized coatings.

Lubrizol, founded in 1928 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, operates manufacturing facilities in 20 countries worldwide, with sales and technical centers spanning the globe, and employs a total of 6,900 people.

(Compiled by Tian Shuhang)