The BBC has picked up the rights to new medical drama 3 lbs.

The series, airing midseason on CBS, went for a reported £300,000 an episode, although the corporation is expected to recuperate some of the cost by selling off the multichannel rights to UKTV.

Other UK bidders for 3 lbs - a reference to the average weight of the human brain - included ITV, Five and Sky.

The show will air on BBC One towards the end of next year.