Innovation
Baxter has a rich history of medical firsts. The company produced the first commercially manufactured intravenous (IV) solutions, the first commercial kidney dialysis machine, the first concentrated clotting factor to treat hemophilia and many other breakthroughs. More recent firsts include the first recombinant factor VIII for hemophilia produced without any blood additives, and the first cell culture-derived pandemic flu vaccine.
See the Milestones page for more information about Baxter's history of innovation.
Innovation is the driving force behind Baxter’s success. The company is a leader in the development of recombinant and plasma-derived therapeutic proteins, cell culture-based vaccines, IV and dialysis solutions, drug packaging and delivery systems, and many other areas. Baxter’s businesses share expertise in medical plastics, biologics, sterilization and other scientific disciplines to create unique life-saving products.
Increasingly, Baxter is applying its technologies to develop therapies that can be more safely administered and are more convenient to patients and clinicians. This includes technologies that move chronic care further from the acute-care setting toward less costly and more patient-friendly settings such as the home. Other research and development (R&D) initiatives include technologies to reduce healthcare-associated bloodstream infections, adult stem cell therapies to treat cardiovascular and peripheral artery disease, and use of immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. See Q&A with Chief Scientific Officer Norbert Riedel for more information.
Baxter researchers perform R&D activities around the world, including Baxter R&D facilities in Austria, Belgium, Japan and the United States. Baxter supplements its R&D efforts by acquiring technologies complementary to its own and entering into R&D agreements with third parties. Current partnerships are aimed at developing longer-acting forms of clotting factor for hemophilia, a home hemodialysis platform for patients with end-stage kidney disease, a subcutaneous alternative to IV administration for various drugs and fluids, and technologies to potentially regenerate skin and bone.
In 2008, Baxter increased its spending on R&D by 14 percent, to $868 million – the highest level in the company’s history. The company plans to continue to grow R&D spending with respect to both its internal pipeline and collaborations with partners.
| R&D EXPENDITURES (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) | |
| Year | Amount |
| 2004 | $517 |
| 2005 | $533 |
| 2006 | $614 |
| 2007 | $760 |
| 2008 | $868 |
