Smith and Nephew division announces acquisition of Nucryst assets

Smith and Nephew’s advanced wound division has committed to taking on a significant number of assets from Nucryst Pharmaceuticals, it has revealed.

The firm has gained the rights from Nucryst to sell items from its Acticoat dressing range – the only products currently on the market which utilise the antimicrobial nonocrystalline silver technology Slcryst.

Overall, Smith and Nephew will pay Nucryst a total of $21 million (12.6 million pounds) for the rights.

“This acquisition is in alignment with our strategy of investing for growth in each of our businesses and will provide continuing opportunities for innovation in the use of nanocrystalline silver technology,” explained Dave Illingworth, chief Executive Officer, Smith & Nephew.

In September, the company released its ALLEVYN Ag Gentle and ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border products, which combine the gentleness of soft gel adhesives and silicone with the antimicrobial protection of silver to minimise pain during removal.