B Braun Melsungen AG, a pioneer in the field of surgical sutures since 1908, unveiled that it would soon shift the manufacturing of the cardiac range of sutures to the recently set up manufacturing plant in Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu from its plant in Spain. B Braun also revealed that the company is thinking of forming joint ventures with healthcare providers across the country.

However, the company didn't disclose as to when it would commence the manufacturing of the cardiac range of sutures from Chengalpet plant and whether it has initiated any talks with any of the companies here for forming joint ventures on the grounds of confidentiality.

"By shifting complete manufacturing activities to the Chengalpet plant, we are planning to bring Asia Pacific as a regional hub for surgical sutures," said, Sayan Roy, Business Unit Manager, B Braun. Throwing more light on the Chengalpet plant he said that the plant is well equipped to provide the Indian customers with cost effective and technologically advanced products. "It is an advanced development and production centre for blue chip products which will manufacture products for the healthcare markets".

Also, in yet another instance of the company's efforts to establish its base in the country, B Braun recently launched its new range of monofilament sutures, a recent advancement in the surgical sealants market, in India.

Referring to the monofilament sutures, Sayan Roy said, "With its lower risk of infection compared to the braided filaments, the company's monofilament products have succeeded in generating positive feedback from practitioners in all surgical disciplines. This is attributable to the closed structure and the absence of capillary attraction, preventing pathogens from penetrating or migrating through the suture".

Disclosing monofilament sutures are the need of the hour, Dr P K Deshpande, K G Memorial Hospital, Nagpur, said, "Minute sutures (monofilament sutures / ophthalmic sutures) are the current trends. We are looking forward to see more research and development from B Braun in areas like reproducible sutures and change in shape of needles".

B Braun has already established their leadership in the modern wound closure market with products ranging from sutures and staples, tapes, haemostats, fibrin glues and sealants, adhesion prevention products to soft tissue attachment products. The high-strength glue segment is led by Aesculap (a B. Braun company) with 16 per cent of market share (world wide).

"Even though cyanoacrylate glues are not the ideal replacement for sutures, such a perfect replacement has yet to be fully developed, leaving room for cyanoacrylate glues to replace conventional sutures in many procedures over the next 10 years. To that end, cyanoacrylate glues are marketed actively by a number of companies for topical wound closure in accident/emergency situations and in surgical closure," said, Sayan Roy.

Into its 100 years of industrially manufactured sterile sutures, B Braun has also launched a global campaign called 'future of sutures', which is open to all Indian doctors. "Any advancement/discovery in the field of surgical sutures can be presented at the campaign and we make it sure that the ideas will get patented in the name of concerned surgeons," Roy added. The winners of the campaign will get a cash award worth Euro 5000.