Biocompatibles has re-invented itself a third time, exiting traditional device markets for riskier drug-device convergence plays in oncology and stroke, clinical areas dominated by drug therapy. This move has caught drug companies' attention clinically, but will Big Pharma validate Biocompatibles' strategy commercially?

The medical device industry is full of companies that started out focusing on one therapeutic area only to shift gears and apply their original or another technooloogy to a different clinical need. Indeed, Biocompatibles is now workiing on its third primary therapeutic areas--cancer--having previously sold off its first two businesses, in ophthalmology and then, convinced it was too far behind in drug-eluting stents, cardiovascular. This new growth area is being driven by the company's general expertise in polymer technology and drug delivery.