P. M. BRIEFING : Merck Buys British Bandage Firm
RAHWAY, N.J. — Merck & Co. Inc. said today it plans to acquire BritCair, a British company that has developed an innovative wound dressing from seaweed.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed by Merck, the world’s largest pharmaceutical firm with 1988 sales of $5.06 billion.
Merck said the use of seaweed for medicinal purposes has long been established. The company indicated that BritCair, founded in 1985, is producing wound dressings that are superior to traditional cotton gauze dressings because the seaweed-based products better create a moist environment that promotes healing.
BritCair has developed a wet spinning process to refine and fashion the seaweed fibers used in manufacturing the dressings. The fiber, known as Kaltostat, is compatible with body tissues and can be used for many chronic and traumatic wounds, Merck said.
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