1. Contributes to the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goal for good health and well-being
According to WHO, one in ten patients suffers from healthcareassociated infections (HAI). These infections result in longer hospital stays, greater suffering and more antibiotics being used, which contributes to higher antibiotic resistance.
HAIs are a growing problem and constitute a threat to global public health. HAIs are infections that patients acquire on hospital visits or when seeking other kinds of healthcare. These infections often occur as a result of medical or surgical procedures.
More than half of all HAIs are caused by medical devices. Bactiguard’s coating technology is an important component in fighting infections since the risk for infection decreases when using our urinary catheters, endotracheal tubes, central venous catheters and implants.
2. Effective and safe coating technology
Bactiguard’s technology consists of a coating that is applied to medical devices. The coating results in less bacteria adhering to the surface. This reduces the risk of biofilm formation that causes infections. More than 230 million catheters have been sold so far, and more than 40 clinical studies have been performed across more than 100,000 patients, who have used products featuring Bactiguard’s technology. It is clinically proven that this technology significantly reduces the risk of infections and that it is safe.
3. Clinical evidence
Bactiguards has strong clinical evidence showing that the technology is effective and safe. Clinical studies are becoming increasingly important to verify the efficacy of our products and to increase their use. These studies also increase our knowledge of the problems associated with infections and generate more data about our products. Clinical studies are important in the sales process. Combined with our knowledge of regulatory requirements and approval processes, they give us a strategic competitive advantage when negotiating and developing new license agreements. This is becoming increasingly clear at the moment, as regulations in Europe are moving towards stricter requirements.
Our studies are being performed in Sweden and abroad in collaboration with doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals and patients. All studies are designed in accordance with international and local laws, rules and ethical principles. They are reviewed and approved by ethical review boards and relevant authorities.
4. Major market potential
We can see major market potential for our portfolio of infection prevention products. Bactiguard’s technology is safe and adaptable to new applications and areas of use where it is important to reduce the risk of infections. The technology is approved for both short-term use on consumables and on implants that will remain in a patient’s body over a long period of time, sometimes for the rest of their life.
We will continue to grow our business by both developing our own product portfolio and signing new license agreements. We will make effective use of the great market potential that we have identified.
5. Clear growth strategy
We are a growth company that has a clear strategy for how we are going to grow. This strategy involves us focusing on five therapeutic areas and priority countries. Sales will increase through new license agreements and a more extensive BIP portfolio, combined with smaller supplementary acquisitions that are of strategic importance. In 2021, we made strategic investments in, for example, the sales and marketing organization. This has advanced our position in the value chain and enhanced our understanding of the needs of both patients and our customers.
6. Unique market position
Although new antibiotics are being developed, WHO believes that none of them will be effective against the most antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This is why it is so important to focus on preventing infections. Our coating technology presents a unique opportunity for manufacturers of medical devices and implants to significantly reduce the risk of HAIs, thereby reducing the amount of antibiotics being prescribed.
7. Scalable license business
One important feature of our business model is our license business. We license our coating technology and our expertise to leading medical device companies. We are in discussions with medtech companies around the world and our target is to sign 1–2 new license agreements per year. The Bactiguard technology has been successfully applied to different types of products in titanium, stainless steel, latex, silicone, polymers, ceramics and textile materials. The technology has been approved for both short- and long-term use, so there are many new applications where it could be used.
8. Long-term owners and dedicated management
The company’s founders are still the main owners and adopt a long-term approach to their ownership. Swedish institutions are also among our largest owners. The Board of Directors represents wide-ranging experience from medtech, financial industry, entrepreneurship, company development and growth, clinical research and medical experience.
The Executive management team has extensive experience of the medical device industry as well as sales and marketing. The management team also has experience from major global companies and medical expertise.