Bayer has been searching for a major pharma partner, and was forced to drop its insistence on having a majority stake in any pharma joint venture. the company has decided to seek partnership in individual sectors or regions. Bayer stated that it will sell its plasma business, part of the company's biological products division, which is based at Research Park Triangle, NC, and generated sales of &euro679 million in 2002 and &euro293 million in first half of 2003. Its products include drugs for the treatment of immunodeficiency disorders and congenital pulmonary emphysema.