Polaroid-Behring Diagnostics

Polaroid-Behring Diagnostics was a joint venture established in 1991 between the Polaroid Corporation and Behringwerke AG, a subsidiary of Hoechst. The entity was created to develop and commercialize advanced clinical chemistry analyzers that integrated Polaroid's proprietary film and imaging technologies with Behring's expertise in biochemical reagents. Their flagship product was a desktop diagnostic system designed for use in decentralized settings such as physician office laboratories and small clinics. The system utilized a unique dry-chemistry format that allowed for rapid testing without the need for complex liquid handling. Despite the innovative approach to point-of-care testing, the venture was eventually dissolved in the mid-1990s as Polaroid shifted its strategic focus away from the healthcare sector.