Our story

Convatec today

We are one of the world’s leading medical products and technologies companies. Our products and services provide a range of benefits from infection prevention, treatment for hard to heal wounds, at-risk skin and ulcerated tissues to supporting debilitating conditions, improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. 

We develop and produce innovative medical solutions that give people living with chronic conditions confidence, freedom and mobility. We offer a range of services to support these people and the healthcare professionals who care for them. We market and sell our solutions and services in four categories: Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care and Infusion Care. We have over 10,000 colleagues, selling products and services in almost 90 countries, supported by an extensive network of wholesalers and distributors.

Driven by our forever caring promise, we are determined to help address the growing ‘care gap’ between the support patients want and what healthcare professionals can provide. This gap is one that we can help bridge by providing layers of care to help patients live fulfilling lives. Above all else, forever caring builds on our heritage as a business supporting those with deeply personal and challenging medical conditions.

Our history

Our story begins in the laboratory of a brilliant scientist, Dr. James Chen of E.R. Squibb & Sons in
the 1960s. His years of research exploring hundreds of formulations led to the invention of the first hydrocolloid medical adhesive for use in dental surgery, which was granted a patent in 1967.

This technology informed our first product, the Stomahesive® skin barrier, launched after Convatec was founded in 1978 (as a division of E.R. Squibb & Sons, Inc, later part of Bristol Myers Squibb).

Stomahesive® revolutionised ostomy care and established our reputation as an innovator of skin adhesives. Following that, our product portfolio grew to include a complete ostomy care line and advanced wound care line, including the AQUACEL® and Hydrofiber® Technology.

In 2008 – by this time under private ownership – Convatec merged with Denmark-based
Unomedical, to create 4 care categories, including Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence & Critical Care, and Infusion Devices. We were subsequently listed on the London Stock Exchange
(FTSE 250) in 2016, valued at £4.4bn in the largest initial public offering of the year.

In 2012, we acquired 180 Medical, through which we distribute disposable, intermittent (single-use) urological catheters directly to patients in the United States. 180 Medical is part of our Home
Services Group (HSG), which also includes Amcare (providing stoma care medical supplies through home delivery and day-to-day customer support). This was strengthened further in 2021, when
Patient Care Medical (a US-based distributor of catheters, with a purely digital customer interface)
also joined HSG.

In 2019, John McAdam was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, and Karim Bitar was
appointed Chief Executive Officer. Between 2019-25, Karim led the successful turnaround and transformation of the business – with a new vision, FISBE (Focus, Innovation, Simplify, Build, Execute) strategy and values.

In the intervening years, Convatec more than doubled investment in research and development, creating the strongest innovation pipeline in our history, placing people at the heart of our purpose with a bold ‘forever caring’ promise guiding us.

In 2022, we were admitted to the FTSE 100 and acquired Triad Life Sciences, entering the attractive wound biologics segment* and rebranded it as Advanced Tissue Technologies, a unit within Convatec's Advanced Wound Care business.

This was strengthened further when we acquired the anti-infective nitric oxide technology platform of 30 Technology Limited, including new product assets and research and development in 2023. In 2025, Convatec secured regulatory approval for ConvaNiox™, the first nitric oxide-generating multimodal dressing technology with a potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent, nitric oxide.

In 2024, Convatec acquired Livramedom – a homecare service provider, based in France to enable us to expand our presence in Europe in the direct-to-consumer market.

Karim Bitar very sadly passed away in October 2025, following a short illness. His legacy continues to shine brightly in every corner of the company. Jonny Mason, previously CFO, was subsequently appointed as CEO.

*Wound biologics segment as defined by SmartTRAK