B. Braun and HeiQ to develop antimicrobial medical devices

B. Braun and HeiQ Materials enter into multi-year partnership to develop products using HeiQ silver additive

PRESS RELEASE 2 0 0 7 – 1 1 – 15

Bad Zurzach, Switzerland, November 15, 2007 — HeiQ Materials AG, the inventor of antimicrobial silver microcompositve additives, today announces a worldwide, multi-year exclusive partnership agreement with B Braun Aesculap, one of the world’s leading healthcare suppliers. The scope of the partnership is to develop healthcare applications featuring HeiQ’s unique silver microcomposite technology.

Nosocomial, or hospital-related bacterial infections, are estimated to be the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. The Center for Disease Control estimate that nosocomial infections cost hospitals $4.8 billion annually in extended care and treatment. Nosocomial infections are common with estimates at about 10% of American hospital patients, or more than 2 million cases annually. Death rates in the USA alone are estimates as high as 88,000 deaths annually. A great majority of healthcare-acquired infections involve many of the pathogens displaying antimicrobial resistance against antibiotics. Silver is effective across a broad range of bacteria and against mutating pathogens. It is also effective in blocking fungi and yeasts known to cause disease. While silver alone does not eliminate infection-associated complications, it may reduce the risk of such occurrences and can be a useful part in an overall strategy for hygiene management.

During the early 20th century, before the advent of antibiotics, silver was rediscovered as an antimicrobial agent from ancient times. Silver is known to be harmless to the human body at bacterial effective levels and is, for the most part, non-toxic and does not encounter the problem of microbial cross-resistance. In order to exhibit antimicrobial effects, silver must be present in the ionic state. The HeiQ technology provides an effective platform to maximize the antimicrobial capability of silver. Because of the tiny size, each particle in the HeiQ microcomposite structure provides a high surface area, it means that an effective release of silver ions may be achieved. HeiQ’s microcomposite technology uses a firmly embedded reservoir system of metallic silver. The silver ion release is tailored to provide antimicrobial activity in a controlled way enabling a long-lasting antimicrobial effect.

“We believe partnering with HeiQ Materials to develop silver-based antimicrobial healthcare solutions will be strategically important to our company and our customers in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections,” said Dr. Odermatt, Head of R&D Woundclosure at B Braun Aesculap in Tuttlingen.

"We are very pleased to have received recognition for our products by B Braun and will now together focus on application integration of our silver microcomposite as a trend-setting technology against healthcare-related infections into B Braun’s own healthcare products. This partnership provides that HeiQ continues to attract partnerships with industry leaders, who share our commitment to bring innovative solutions to market.” said Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ Materials AG.


For more information, please contact:

Kristofer Skantze
Head of Sales and Marketing

HeiQ Materials AG
Zürcherstrasse 42
CH-5330 Bad Zurzach
Switzerland
Phone +41(0)56 250 68 50       
Email: info@heiq.com


Contact B. Braun:

Aesculap AG & Co. KG
Am Aesculap-Platz
78532 Tuttlingen
Germany
Phone: +49(0)7641 95-00       
Email: information@aesculap.de  


About B. Braun: Since its founding in 1839, B. Braun has built an unparalleled store of knowledge and expertise in delivering innovative healthcare products, medical devices and programs that enhance working processes in hospitals, alternate care settings and medical practices – increasing safety for patients, doctors and nurses. Its 34,000 employees worldwide are proud of their commitment to translating customer needs into products with unmatched quality, superior technology, cost-effectiveness and environmental responsibility. B. Braun achieved a turnover in 2006 of around 3.3 billion euros. www.bbraun.com 

About HeiQ Materials: HeiQ Materials AG is a Swiss producer of high-performance microcomposite additives and masterbatches. HeiQ provides the entire production chain from a single source, with activities ranging from research and product development to large-scale industrial manufacturing. Useful applications for HeiQ's high performance additives can be found in the textile, plastics, coatings, cosmetic and medical sectors.

www.heiq.com