Nov 21 2006
DSM Venturing, the corporate venturing unit of Royal DSM N.V., today announced that it has taken a share of 10% in the advanced materials company Micromuscle. Micromuscle has developed electro-active polymers (EAPs) for use in medical devices and life science product applications. This investment will give DSM a perfect window on the potential of EAP technology for medical applications.
Electro-active polymers are an emerging class of advanced materials with new revolutionary properties. A primary advantage of EAPs is the possibility to electrically control their behavior and properties. This enables the construction of small, moving and force-exerting components called actuators or micromuscles. The EAP technology can be used in medical devices and enables new applications by performing a range of functions, such as control of the movement and properties of medical devices, the anchoring of devices, and controlled drug release. Currently, Micromuscle is focusing on vascular applications.
DSM and Micromuscle will explore opportunities for joint development products, especially in the area of drug delivery and cardiovascular systems. These are fields DSM is currently focusing on in its Emerging Business Area of Biomedical Materials (DSM Biomedical), which is one of the focus areas to secure longer-term growth as defined in DSM’s corporate strategy program.