- In April 2025, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), led by Assistant Professor Jiawei Yang, announced the development of a novel hydrogel-based medical adhesive designed to securely attach implanted medical devices—such as pacemakers and insulin pumps—to human tissues. This adhesive combines a transparent solid hydrogel layer with a clear liquid polymer layer, engineered to mimic the mechanical properties of soft, wet biological tissues. The innovation addresses a critical challenge in medical device integration and represents a major advancement in long-term, biocompatible adhesion for implantable technologies.
- In February 2025, ALBIS announced a strategic collaboration with Arkema to distribute its high-performance, medical-grade polymers across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The agreement includes materials such as Pebax MED thermoplastic elastomers, Rilsan MED polyamide 11, Rilsamid MED polyamide 12, Rilsan MED Clear, and Kynar MED PVDF. These polymers are known for their biocompatibility, chemical resistance, and flexibility, making them ideal for minimally invasive devices, medical tubing, and other critical healthcare applications. The partnership enhances ALBIS’s healthcare portfolio and supports the growing demand for advanced medical polymer solutions
- In March 2024, SABIC, in collaboration with the dialysis department at Jessa Hospital in Belgium, successfully demonstrated the feasibility of recycling used medical plastic into high-quality, medical-grade polymers. This proof-of-concept pilot project involved converting non-contaminated medical plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, which was then used to produce TRUCIRCLE™ polymers with the same performance and safety standards as virgin materials. The initiative highlights SABIC’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles in the medical polymers market, offering a scalable model for reducing medical plastic waste and promoting responsible material reuse
- In January 2024, Seqens entered into a strategic agreement with Pleryon Therapeutics, a biotech startup, to develop and manufacture a GMP-grade polymer for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The polymer will be produced at Seqens’ state-of-the-art cGMP facility in Aramon, France, which was recently modernized with a €15 million investment. This collaboration highlights Seqens’ growing focus on specialized medical polymers for targeted therapeutic applications, including nucleic acid delivery, controlled-release excipients, and Class IIb & III medical devices. For Pleryon, the partnership secures the development of its lead clinical candidate aimed at addressing unmet needs in aging populations
- In August 2023, Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, launched the Resolute Onyx Gen4 drug-eluting stent (DES). This next-generation stent features a bio-absorbable polymer coating designed to deliver zotarolimus, a drug that helps prevent restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery). The Gen4 version builds on Medtronic’s proven BioLinx™ polymer technology, offering enhanced deliverability, visibility, and conformability for complex percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). This launch underscores the ongoing innovation in medical devices that leverage advanced polymer technologies to improve patient outcomes in cardiovascular care.
