Bayer Offers Hyaluronic Acid for Manufacturing Partnership

Bayer Corp. (Shawnee, KS) is seeking customers interested in using the third generation of its hyaluronic acid (HA) for product development in the human medical field. The product is FDA-approved for intravenous and intraarticular use to treat arthritis and degenerative joint disease in horses.

Bayer's HA is derived from patented processes using Streptococcus fermentation in protein-free medium and purification steps that yield a pure, hyaluronic acid, standardized by molecular weight and viscosity. Bayer's HA differs from highly viscous HA extracted from rooster combs with potentially reactive components, and from other HA products derived from Streptococcus fermentations that use media-containing complex proteins.

Bayer is currently constructing a hyaluronic acid manufacturing facility designed to meet FDA cGMP regulations for both veterinary and human uses. This facility is scheduled for validation activities in 1999, and will be available for full production in 2000.

Bayer Corp. is a researched-based company with businesses in health care, life sciences, and chemicals.

Interested parties should contact: Larry Williams, Manager of Contract Manufacturing, Bayer Corp., 12707 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66201. Tel: 913-268-2128.