SMITHS Medical, which owns Sims Portex in Hythe, are at an advanced stage of negotiations to sell two of its specialist device businesses.

It is expected that urology products, based at Colchester, Essex, and ostomy products at Lancing, West Sussex, will both be bought by a leading medical device company headquartered in the US.

These two activities represent specialist units of Portex Ltd that are not related to its core activity of disposable devices to aid breathing during surgery and intensive care.

Both businesses are expected to benefit from joining a company specialising in products for this segment of the international healthcare industry. It is hoped to complete negotiations within the next six weeks.