J&J China Acquires Guangzhou Bioseal
By: Helen Zhang
8 May, 2012
Earlier this month, Johnson & Johnson (China) Investment Ltd. announced the acquisition of Guangzhou Bioseal Biotech Company, Ltd, a privately held biopharmaceutical company specialising in the design, development and commercialisation of a porcine plasma-derived biologic for controlling bleeding during surgery. This is the first acquisition of a medical technology company by J&J China, which has been doing business in the country for more than 25 years. Bioseal will work closely with Ethicon, a J&J company, which already markets haemostasis products in China.
Helen Zhang, Associate Editor of China Medical Device Manufacturer (CMDM), interviewed Karen Jiang, Senior Media Affairs Manager, Johnson & Johnson Medical, to learn more about the acquisition, which was officially announced on 2 May 2012.
Why now, after 25 years in the marketplace, did J&J make this acquisition?
The acquisition of Bioseal will allow Ethicon to immediately enter the fibrin sealant market in China and to broaden product offerings globally by introducing advanced biologic solutions that meet the varying needs of surgeons and patients around the world.
In addition, this acquisition will provide an alternative biologics source to develop a pipeline of biologics/combination products for emerging markets that will address challenging haemostasis-related issues. In the meantime, it will provide a base of biologics capabilities—including SFDA-approved manufacturing facilities—in Asia-Pacific that could potentially be leveraged worldwide.
Last but not least, this acquisition presents the opportunity to leverage J&J’s clinical capabilities and expertise to gain additional indications of sealing and fixation applications and broaden the scope, reach and market for the Bioseal fibrin sealant.
CMDM: How will the market, industry and general public benefit from this?
The acquisition of Bioseal will create an opportunity for Ethicon to immediately enter China, a high growth market, with an advanced biologic solution. At the same time, the acquisition creates an opportunity to bring additional products to emerging markets throughout the world. This will create a market-leading business that can differentiate itself by enabling surgeons around the world to meet various patient needs while raising the standard for innovation and patient outcomes.
CMDM: Will J&J keep the current management team of Bioseal?
David Liu, former VP of Operations Readiness in the J&J Corporate Quality and Compliance organisation has been appointed General Manager of Bioseal. We will retain select members of the senior management team. Mr. Xing Huang, who has been with the company for many years, will stay on as Deputy General Manager of Bioseal.
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