Freudenberg invests in medical technology

More than a million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year, more than 29 million Americans have diabetes and almost six million suffer from chronic wounds. These are just a few examples of illnesses whose successful outcomes depend on precise and long-term parenteral delivery of medication to a patient's body. Freudenberg's innovations improve treatment delivery systems.

Treatment for esophageal and tracheal cancer involves use of coated catheters and stents that dispense active agents into the body, precisely where they are needed, and also expand the affected vessels. Freudenberg Medical develops and manufactures those and other innovative drug device combination products. The special composition of the coating and the innovative coating process improves the drug effectiveness and ensures a longer-lasting effect with just a third of the required amount. Consequently, this reduces side effects for the patient and minimizes toxic waste in the clinic, and ultimately reduces environmental impact and achieves cost savings for the healthcare system.

Diabetes patients depend on insulin to regulate their blood glucose levels. Wearable insulin pumps improve life quality for diabetes sufferers by eliminating individual insulin injections and delivering insulin more accurately. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies supplies sealing solutions for these mobile pumps. A special rod seal reduces friction to a minimum, resulting in less wear. As a result, the minimum life expectancy of the pumps can be guaranteed for a period of four years, ensuring trouble-free application.

In treating chronic wounds a variety of different dressing materials are available to doctors and nurses for medical wound care. Gelatinizing nonwoven wound dressings from Freudenberg Performance Materials (FPM) accelerate the healing process.

The innovative nonwoven material gels as soon as it comes into contact with other liquids. The dressings keep the wound moist and remain stable despite rapidly absorbing the wound secretion, securely covering the wound. In addition, Freudenberg offers innovative foam systems that add special properties to conventional wound dressings, protecting the wound from drying out and consequently promoting healing. Their antimicrobial properties also prevent inflammation.

Additionally, FPM's transdermal drug delivery patches help deliver a specified dosage of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) into the bloodstream by adhering the patch onto the patient's skin. The patches can be used for various treatments such as pain relief, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease or hormone replacement therapy. They can be worn anywhere  between a couple of hours to as long as a week at a time, allowing for painless, direct to bloodstream delivery while bypassing the liver's metabolic activity.

Scaffolene® technology is another Freudenberg innovation used in pharmaceutical applications for parenteral drug administration. These nonwovens are made from biodegradable raw materials, which are metabolized in the body. For the patient, that means that no additional procedure is needed to remove the drug delivery device. Medicines, enzymes or growth hormones can all be incorporated into the nonwovens. Scaffolene® technology has found applications in surgery, wound healing, drug delivery and regenerative medicine. A European manufacturer of hemostatic products partnered with Freudenberg and introduced a product with scaffolene® technology at the end of 2015. Following the positive response from users and physicians worldwide, further product launches are planned in the near future, including cooperation with a U.S. partner on a project in the field of bioactive wound care.

The Freudenberg Group continues to invest globally in the expansion of the company's medical technology division with the aim of further extending its innovation strength and ensuring long-term market success. From Shenzhen, China to Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland; Kaiserslautern, Germany to Carpinteria, California, Freudenberg has invested in building new facilities or expanding and modernizing the existing ones to better serve local markets and ensure long-term market success.

Visit Freudenberg Medical (Booth 3213) and Freudenberg Performance Materials (Booth 1267) at the MD&M West tradeshow, February 7-9, 2017.

About the Freudenberg Group
Freudenberg is a global technology group that strengthens its customers and society long-term through forward-looking innovations. Together with its partners, customers and the world of science, the Freudenberg Group develops leading-edge technologies, and excellent products, solutions and services for more than 30 market segments and for thousands of applications: seals, vibration control components, nonwovens, filters, specialty chemicals, medical products, IT services and the most modern cleaning products. Innovation strength, strong customer orientation, diversity and team spirit are the cornerstones of our Group. Commitment to excellence, reliability and pro-active, responsible action belong to the company's core values lived for more than 165 years.

In 2015, the Freudenberg Group employed over 40,000 people in some 60 countries worldwide and generated sales of more than 7.5 billion Euros (including pro-rata consolidation of 50:50 joint ventures). For more information, please visit www.freudenberg.com

About Freudenberg Medical
A global partner for the design, development and manufacture of innovative medical device technologies. With 11 manufacturing operations and more than 1,500 associates worldwide, Freudenberg Medical offers a wide range of capabilities from high precision silicone and thermoplastic components and tubing to coating technology, finished devices, and solutions for minimally invasive and catheter-based devices. www.freudenbergmedical.com

About Freudenberg Sealing Technologies
As the leading specialist in sealing applications and their markets, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is a supplier as well as a development and service partner serving customers in a wide variety of sectors including the automotive industry, civil aviation, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, the food and pharmaceuticals industries, and agricultural and construction machinery. In 2015, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies generated sales of about €2.3 billion and employed more than 15,000 people. Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies runs the business operations for Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in the Americas. For more information, please visit www.fst.com

About Freudenberg Performance Materials
Freudenberg Performance Materials is a leading global manufacturer of innovative technical textiles offering differentiated value propositions to a broad range of markets  and applications such as apparel, automotive, building materials, hygiene, medical, shoe and leather goods as well as specialties. In 2015, the company generates sales of almost €980 million and has more than 25 manufacturing sites in 14 countries and more than 3.800 associates. Freudenberg Performance Materials has many years of experience in technical textiles and applications. The company attaches great importance to social and ecological responsibility. For more information, please visit www.freudenberg-pm.com

SOURCE Freudenberg Group

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