Press Room

News / Jul 15, 2022

Covid-19 / Coronavirus

Stay updated with the latest information on Covid-19

3d image of coronavirus with red background

Video - We are the Second Line of Defense

To watch the video with subtitles, choose your language:  PT  |  CN  |  EN

 

English

 

 

SARS-CoV-2: What & How

Question: What is a virus?

Answer: A virus is not a bacteria. A virus is a microorganism that causes damage in the body by invading cells (these cells are called hosts). Unlike bacteria, all viruses cause disease.

 

Question: What is the difference between a virus and a bacterium?

Answer: Both bacteria and viruses are microorganisms. But think of it this way: an elephant and a rat are completely different but they’re both animals. Same goes for the virus and bacteria.

Additionally, one of the biggest differences between bacteria and viruses, is their size. A bacterium is the size of a large orange, in comparison to a virus which would be the size of an apple seed.

 

Question: How is Covid-19 transmitted?

Answer: The main route of transmission is through respiratory droplets. We expel these when we sneeze, cough or even when we talk! Another common route includes touching surfaces that have the virus and then touching your face (before washing your hands).

Find more in this article published in Elsevier

 

Question: Can a virus live on non-living surfaces?

Answer: Yes. Although viruses live off of other organisms, such as animals or plants, they can be found on non-living surfaces. However, a virus cannot survive for a very long time on non-living surfaces.

Find more on The New England Journal of Medicine

 

Question: How long does the virus last on surfaces?

Answer:     

  • Food: no evidence to suggest it spreads through food
  • Paper: from a few minutes up to 5 days
  • Cardboard: ~ 24 hours
  • Wood: ~ 4 days
  • Plastic: ~ 2/3 days
  • Metals:  ~ 5 days
  • Steel: ~ 2/3 days

 

The overall survival rate of the virus on surfaces may vary slightly according to the amount of sunlight and humidity the virus gets exposed to.

Find more on The New England Journal of Medicine

 

Question: Will warm weather stop the outbreak of Covid-19?

Answer: It is not yet known whether weather and temperature affect the spread of Covid-19. Some other viruses, like those that cause the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months.  There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with Covid-19 and investigations are ongoing.

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: Can someone who has been quarantined for Covid-19 spread the illness to others?

Answer: Quarantine means separating a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not developed illness (symptoms) from others who have not been exposed, in order to prevent the possible spread of that disease. Quarantine is usually established for the incubation period of the communicable disease, which is the span of time during which people have developed illness after exposure. For Covid-19, the period of quarantine is 14 days from the last date of exposure because the incubation period for this virus is 2 to 14 days. Someone who has been released from Covid-19 quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others because they have not developed illness during the incubation period.

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: How does Covid-19 affect our cells?

Answer: Covid-19 is particularly good at sticking to respiratory tissue. This means attaching to cells found mainly in the lungs. The virus does this by using its crown-like spikes which are attached to the virus’ envelope. As a result, one virus particle can attach itself to multiple cells in the body.

 

 

 

coronavirus composition scheme | Hovione

The easiest paths of entry for the virus are the mouth, nose and eyes. Once the virus manages to attach itself to the host cell, the host cell will take the virus particle in. The virus will then release genetic information called RNA. RNA acts as a set of instructions that tells the host cell what to do. Therefore, RNA will stop a cell from functioning normally, and instead will convert the healthy host cell into a virus making factory. Once the new virus is assembled inside the host cell, it is released into the surroundings, hence causing even further infection in the body.

If our immune system is not effective at fighting the virus and stopping it from spreading onto further cells, more virus-making factories are created in our body using our cells. This eventually kills the host cell, as it is starved by the virus, causing us to have severe respiratory problems, amongst other consequences.

 

Question: Why do we need to use facemasks?

Answer: Facemasks reduce the distance respiratory particles can travel. This means that it reduces the chances of getting infected by preventing the spread of respiratory droplets. It also acts as a filter to the air you breath in and so prevents you from inhaling the virus.

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: How does washing our hands with soap, get rid of the virus?

Answer: Soap is crucial as it contains chemicals that break down the layer of fat surrounding the coronavirus (envelope) and hence completely destroy it. Using only water doesn’t help because it doesn’t stop the virus from sticking to your hand.

Watch this video to learn how soap kills the coronavirus

 

Question: Why should you avoid touching your face?

Answer: This is because the virus can easily enter the body through the mouth, nose or even eyes. However, the virus doesn’t enter your body through the skin, as this acts as a physical barrier. 

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: Should I take antibiotics to treat Covid-19 and are anti-bacterial products useful?

Answer: Antibiotics are not designed to stop viral infections and therefore are of no use when trying to treat Covid-19. As explained above, bacteria and viruses are two very different microorganisms. This means that anti-bacterial products are not useful either, for when disinfecting surfaces from Covid-19. Instead you should use disinfectant or alcohol.

 

Question: Is the virus’ ability to spread affected by the climate?

Answer: So far there is no scientific evidence to suggest or prove that the virus is less effective at spreading in hot or humid weather.

 

Question: What are the symptoms of Covid-19?

Answer:  People with Covid-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have Covid-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about Covid-19.

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: Can someone test negative and later positive on a viral test for Covid-19?

Answer:  Yes, it is possible. You may test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed immune to Covid-19 after the test and get infected then. Even if you test negative, you still should take steps to protect yourself and others. See Testing for Current Infection for more information.

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: If I have recovered from Covid-19, will I be immune to it?

Answer: We do not know yet if people who recover from Covid-19 can get infected again. CDC and partners are investigating to determine if a person can get sick with Covid-19 more than once. Until we know more, continue to take steps to protect yourself and others.

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: Who is at higher risk for serious illness from Covid-19?

Answer: COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from Covid-19.

Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from Covid-19 are:

  • People aged 65 years and older
  • People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
  • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
  • People who have serious heart conditions
  • People who are immunocompromised

Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications

  • People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40)
  • People with diabetes
  • People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
  • People with liver disease

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Question: What should people at higher risk of serious illness with Covid-19 do?

Answer: If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from Covid-19, you should:

  • Stock up on supplies
  • Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
  • When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick
  • Limit close contact and wash your hands often
  • Avoid crowds, cruise travel, and non-essential travel

If there is an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible. Watch for symptoms and emergency signs. If you get sick, stay home and call your doctor. More information on how to prepare, what to do if you get sick, and how communities and caregivers can support those at higher risk is available on People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19.

Find more at CDC.gov

 

Useful links

 

Relevant Information

Hovione Practical Handbook - Covid-19
The Coronavirus Prevention Handbook
Spanish Flu book chapter

Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Provisional 6th Edition)

At the time this was the best informed source on the Novel Coronavirus is probably

PRC’s Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Provisional 6th Edition).

This is an unofficial google translated version of the document (6th version)

Report from WHO panel of international experts that just returned from a fact-finding mission to China – (25 February 2020)

WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC - Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus

EN - The WHO informs that in order to sanitize surface areas you can use a mixture of 0,5% of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in water. Bleach bottles for household use indicate the concentration percentage in their labels - a bottle from Continente supermarket, for instance, indicates 5% - therefore to use this product to sanitize an area you need to dissolve it in water - one measuring cup of bleach for nine measuring cups of water will provide you with a solution containing 0,5% bleach. Be extremely careful when handling bleach with a 5% concentration. It can burn the skin. If it spills drops to the skin or eyes wash them immediately with abundant water for two minutes. 

WHO-recommended Handrub Formulations

 

Rate of growth of COVID-19

SARS-Cov-2 Report - 30 November 2021

 

Hovione Crisis Response

COVID-19 - Hovione Crisis Response
COVID-19 Preparedness Response - Countermeasures adopted prior to Chinese New Year at the Hovione Macau plant 

 

Stakeholders Communiqués

Communication of Site Shutdown - Hovione Macau 15 July 2022
16th Stakeholder Communiqué Covid-19 11 May 2021
15th Stakeholder Communiqué Covid-19 12 March 2021
14th Stakeholder Communiqué Covid-19 5 February 2021
13th Stakeholder Communiqué Covid-19 12 January 2021
12th Stakeholder Communiqué Covid-19 7 December 2020
11th Stakeholder Communiqué Covid-19 5 November 2020
10th Stakeholder Communiqué Covid-19 8 October 2020
9th Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19 2 September 2020
8th Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19 12 August 2020
7th External Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19 9 July 2020
6th External Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19 8 June 2020
5th External Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19 6 May 2020
Covid-19 FAQ 20 April 2020
4th External Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19 3 April 2020

Covid-19 - An update from Hovione's CEO

20 March 2020

3rd External Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19

13 March 2020

2nd External Stakeholder Communiqué - Covid-19

12 February 2020

1st External Stakeholder Communiqué - Coronavirus 2019-NCoV

31 January 2020

 

Webinar

 

Webinar Presentation

Sharing our Covid-19 experience. Seeking Feedback
14 July 2020

 

 

Service Providers and External Visitors

Guidance Protocol for External Visitors

 

Contingency Plan - Covid-19

 

Videos

We are the Second Line of Defense (27 April 2020)

To watch the video with subtitles, choose your language:  PT  |  CN  |  EN

 

Message from Élie Vannier, Chairman of the Board of Directors (30 July 2020)

Language: English and subtitles in Portuguese

 

Return From Home Rules (7 July 2020)

 

Message from Filipe Gaspar, Chief Technology Officer (7 April 2020)

Language: Portuguese and subtitles in English

 

 

Message from Tiago Ferreira de Matos, General Counsel (31 March 2020)

Language: Portuguese and subtitles in English

 

 

Guy Villax message - Washing hands (25 March 2020)

 

 

Message from Eddy Leong, Site Manager - Macao (23 March 2020)





What can people do to protect themselves and others from getting the new coronavirus

Source: WHO, World Health Organization

 



WHO: How to handwash? With soap and water

Source: WHO, World Health Organization





Can masks protect against the new coronavirus infection?

Source: WHO, World Health Organization

 

 

Certifications

 

 

APCER Covid Safe Verified | Hovione

As a result of a joint effort between Hovione and Gertal, Sete Casas and Lumiar Canteens have been certified by APCER with the “Covid Safe Verified” seal.

“Covid Safe” is a brand developed by APCER that certifies compliance with the new health and safety rules, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This certification is the recognition of the concern of both Hovione and Gertal in complying with the rules established and providing the best safety conditions for our Team Members.

 



 

ABC Covid-19 (for schools)

ABC Covid-19 initiative aims to help schools across the country in their return to classes in a practical, direct, and efficient way, by providing support to answer the various difficulties they face in their daily routines.

The team is composed of trainees and is supervised by the Covid-19 prevention team at Hovione and their aim is to inform students about what are good habits to adopt and how to prevent risks while also supporting teachers and staff with up-to-date, reliable and clear information.

Here you can find all the information provided in a poster format that you can distribute throughout the school. Portuguese only.

Posters
01. Uso de Máscara A / Uso de Máscara
02. Uso de Máscara B 
03. Retirar a Máscara
04. Regras para sair de casa
05. Recomendações
06. Proteção Covid-19
07. Lave as mãos com frequência
08. Lavagem de mãos / Lavagem de mãos
09. Lavagem de mãos com gel desinfetante
10. Como medir a temperatura
11. Medidas Gerais
12. Medidas Escolas
13. Utilização de Líxivia (1)
14. Utilização de Líxivia (2)
15. Instruções para Elevadores
16. Distanciamento Social
17. Desinfetar Superfícies
 

 

Follow us:

facebook logo | Hovione

 

instagram logo | Hovione

 

Twitter Logo | Hovione

 

Youtube Logo | Hovione

 

 

 

 

17-year arts student wins ABCovid contest

Tomás Oliveira, aged 17, from Escola Artística António Arroio, with the video "Covid-19 simplified for morons", which explains simply and graphically why we need a mask to protect ourselves from this virus.

The ABCovid contest is an initiative taken by Hovione trainees aimed at elementary and high school students. For more details visit www.abcovid.pt

 

 

 

 

 

Português

 

SARS-CoV-2: O Quê & Como

Pergunta: O que é um vírus?

Resposta: Um vírus não é uma bactéria. Um vírus é um microrganismo que causa danos ao organismo, invadindo as células (essas células são chamadas de hospedeiros). Ao contrário das bactérias, todos os vírus causam doenças.

 

Pergunta: Qual é a diferença entre um vírus e uma bactéria?

Resposta: Bactérias e vírus são microrganismos. Mas pense assim: um elefante e um rato são completamente diferentes, mas ambos são animais. O mesmo vale para o vírus e as bactérias.

Além disso, uma das maiores diferenças entre bactérias e vírus é o seu tamanho. Uma bactéria é do tamanho de uma laranja grande, em comparação com um vírus do tamanho de uma semente de maçã.

 

Pergunta: Como o Covid-19 é transmitido?

Resposta: A principal via de transmissão é através de gotículas respiratórias. Nós os expulsamos quando espirramos, tossimos ou mesmo quando conversamos! Outra rota comum inclui tocar em superfícies com o vírus e depois tocar em seu rosto (antes de lavar as mãos).

Saiba mais neste artigo científico publicado na Elsevier

 

Pergunta: Um vírus pode viver em superfícies não-vivas?

Resposta: Sim. Embora os vírus vivam de outros organismos, como animais ou plantas, eles podem ser encontrados em superfícies não-vivas. No entanto, um vírus não pode sobreviver por muito tempo em superfícies não-vivas.

Saiba mais neste artigo publicado na The New England Journal of Medicine

 

Pergunta: Quanto tempo dura o vírus nas superfícies?

Resposta:

  • Comida: nenhuma evidência para sugerir que ela se espalha através da comida
  • Papel: de alguns minutos a 5 dias
  • Papelão: ~ 24 horas
  • Madeira: ~ 4 dias
  • Plástico: ~ 2/3 dias
  • Metais: ~ 5 dias
  • Aço: ~ 2/3 dias

A taxa geral de sobrevivência do vírus nas superfícies pode variar ligeiramente de acordo com a quantidade de luz solar e umidade à qual o vírus é exposto.

Saiba mais neste artigo publicado na The New England Journal of Medicine

 

Pergunta: O tempo quente vai parar o surto de Covid-19?

Resposta: Ainda não se sabe se o clima e a temperatura afetam a propagação do Covid-19. Alguns outros vírus, como os que causam o resfriado e a gripe comuns, se espalham mais durante os meses de clima frio, mas isso não significa que é impossível ficar doente com esses vírus durante outros meses. Há muito mais para aprender sobre a transmissibilidade, a gravidade e outros recursos associados ao Covid-19 e às investigações em andamento.

Saiba mais no website CDC.gov 

 

Pergunta: Alguém que foi colocado em quarentena por Covid-19 pode espalhar a doença para outras pessoas?

Resposta: Quarentena significa separar uma pessoa ou grupo de pessoas que foram expostas a uma doença contagiosa, mas não desenvolveram doenças (sintomas) de outras que não foram expostas, a fim de impedir a possível propagação dessa doença. A quarentena é geralmente estabelecida para o período de incubação da doença transmissível, que é o período durante o qual as pessoas desenvolvem doenças após a exposição. Para o COVID-19, o período de quarentena é de 14 dias a partir da última data de exposição, porque o período de incubação desse vírus é de 2 a 14 dias. Alguém que foi liberado da quarentena de COVID-19 não é considerado um risco de espalhar o vírus para outras pessoas porque não desenvolveram doenças durante o período de incubação.

Saiba mais no website CDC.gov

 

Pergunta: Como o Covid-19 afeta as nossas células?

Resposta: O Covid-19 é particularmente bom em aderir ao tecido respiratório. Isso significa anexar às células encontradas principalmente nos pulmões. O vírus faz isso usando seus picos em forma de coroa, anexados ao envelope do vírus. Como resultado, uma partícula de vírus pode se conectar a várias células do corpo.

Os caminhos mais fáceis de entrada para o vírus são a boca, nariz e olhos. Uma vez que o vírus consiga se conectar à célula hospedeira, a célula hospedeira absorve a partícula do vírus. O vírus libera informações genéticas chamadas RNA. O RNA atua como um conjunto de instruções que informa à célula hospedeira o que fazer. Portanto, o RNA interrompe o funcionamento normal da célula e, em vez disso, converte a célula hospedeira saudável em uma fábrica de criação de vírus. Uma vez que o novo vírus é montado dentro da célula hospedeira, ele é liberado para o ambiente, causando ainda mais infecções no organismo.

Se nosso sistema imunológico não é eficaz no combate ao vírus e impede que ele se espalhe para outras células, mais fábricas de criação de vírus são criadas em nosso corpo, usando nossas células. Isso acaba matando a célula hospedeira, pois ela sofre de fome pelo vírus, causando problemas respiratórios graves, entre outras consequências.

 

 

coronavirus composition scheme | Hovione

Pergunta: Por que precisamos usar máscaras?

Resposta: As máscaras faciais reduzem a distância que as partículas respiratórias podem percorrer. Isso significa que reduz as chances de ser infectado, impedindo a propagação de gotículas respiratórias. Também atua como um filtro para o ar que você respira e impede a inalação do vírus.

Saiba mais no website CDC.gov

 

Pergunta: Como lavar as mãos com sabão elimina o vírus?

Resposta: O sabão é crucial, pois contém produtos químicos que quebram a camada de gordura ao redor do coronavírus (envelope) e, portanto, o destroem completamente. Usar apenas água não ajuda, pois não impede que o vírus grude na sua mão.

Assista a este vídeo para saber como é que o sabão elimina o vírus

 

Pergunta: Por que você deve evitar tocar no seu rosto?

Resposta: Isso ocorre porque o vírus pode facilmente entrar no corpo pela boca, nariz ou até olhos. No entanto, o vírus não entra no seu corpo através da pele, pois atua como uma barreira física.

Saiba mais no website CDC.gov

 

Pergunta: Devo tomar antibióticos para tratar o Covid-19 e os produtos antibacterianos são úteis?

Resposta: Os antibióticos não são projetados para interromper infecções virais e, portanto, não são úteis ao tentar tratar o Covid-19. Como explicado acima, bactérias e vírus são dois microorganismos muito diferentes. Isso significa que os produtos antibacterianos também não são úteis, ao desinfetar superfícies do Covid-19. Em vez disso, você deve usar desinfetante ou álcool.

 

Pergunta: A capacidade do vírus se espalhar é afetada pelo clima?

Resposta: Até o momento, não há evidências científicas para sugerir ou provar que o vírus é menos eficaz na propagação em clima quente ou úmido.

 

Pergunta: Quais são os sintomas da Covid-19?

Resposta: Pessoas com Covid-19 tiveram uma ampla gama de sintomas relatados - desde sintomas leves a doenças graves. Os sintomas podem aparecer 2-14 dias após a exposição ao vírus. Pessoas com esses sintomas podem ter Covid-19:

  • Febre ou calafrios
  • Tosse
  • Falta de ar ou dificuldade em respirar
  • Fadiga
  • Dores musculares ou corporais
  • Dor de cabeça
  • Nova perda de paladar ou olfato
  • Dor de garganta
  • Congestão ou coriza
  • Náusea ou vômito
  • Diarreia

Esta lista não inclui todos os sintomas possíveis. O CDC continuará a atualizar esta lista à medida que aprendermos mais sobre o Covid-19.

Saiba mais no website CDC.gov

 

Pergunta: Alguém pode testar negativo e posteriormente positivo num teste viral para o Covid-19?

Resposta: Sim, é possível. Você pode ter um resultado negativo se a amostra foi coletada no início de sua infeção e um resultado positivo mais tarde durante esta doença. Você também pode ser exposto ao Covid-19 imune após o teste e infetado. Mesmo se você testar negativo, você ainda deve tomar medidas para proteger a si e aos outros. Consulte Teste para infecção atual para obter mais informações.

Saiba mais no website CDC.gov

 

Pergunta: Se eu me recuperei do Covid-19, estarei imune?

Resposta: Ainda não sabemos se as pessoas que se recuperam do Covid-19 de ficar doente com Covid-19 mais de uma vez. Até que saibamos mais, continue a tomar medidas para proteger a si e aos outros.

Saiba mais no website CDC.gov

 

Pergunta: Quem está em maior risco de doenças graves por causa da Covid-19?

Resposta: Covid-19 é uma doença nova e há informações limitadas sobre fatores de risco para doenças graves. Com base nas informações disponíveis no momento e nos conhecimentos clínicos, idosos e pessoas de qualquer idade com sérias condições médicas subjacentes podem estar em maior risco de doença grave por causa do Covid-19.

Com base no que sabemos agora, aqueles com alto risco de doença grave por Covid-19 são:

  • Pessoas com 65 anos ou mais
  • Pessoas que vivem em um lar de idosos ou em instituições de longa permanência
  • Pessoas de todas as idades com condições médicas subjacentes, principalmente se não forem bem controladas, incluindo:
  • Pessoas com doença pulmonar crônica ou asma moderada a grave
  • Pessoas que têm problemas cardíacos graves
  • Pessoas imunológicas

 

Links Úteis

 

Informação Relevante

Manual Prático Colaborador Hovione - Covid-19
Manual para a Prevenção e Tratamento da Covid-19

WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC - Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus

Para desinfectar as superfícies a OMS recomenda uma solução (mistura) de 0,5% de lixívia (hipoclorito de sódio) em água. As embalagens de lixívia para uso doméstico indicam a concentração em % no rótulo - num exemplo do Continente vimos a indicação de 5% - daí que para conseguir ter uma concentração para desinfetar as superfícies com esse produto a 5% é preciso diluir com mais àgua:  a uma medida de lixívia a 5% juntar 9 medidas de água para ter uma solução a 0,5%. Cuidado com a lixívia, em concentrações de 5% ou mais causa queimaduras na pele. Se pingos forem para a pele ou os olhos lave abundantemente com água durante 2 minutos.

 

Webinar

 

Apresentação Webinar

Resposta a Covid-19 - Partilha de experiências. Juntos somos mais fortes
16 julho 2020

 

Prestadores de Serviços

Prestadores de Serviços: Plano de Contingência COVID-19

 

Regras de Circulação em Instalações Hovione em Sete Casas e Lumiar

 

Videos

Hovione - Messagem de Élie Vannier, Presidente do Conselho de Administração (30 de julho 2020)

Legendado em Português

 

 

ABCovid: Entrevista de Santiago Sampaio no programa Curto Circuito, SIC Radical (13 de julho 2020)

Saber mais sobre o Concurso Nacional ABCovid

 

Mensagem de Ana Cristina Guimarães, Diretora de RH Portugal (26 de junho de 2020)

 

Mensagem de Isabel Jonet, Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome (5 de junho 2020)

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa (28 de maio de 2020)

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 1

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 2

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 3

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 4 e 5

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 6

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 7

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 8

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 9

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 10

 

Regras de Regresso de Casa - Regra 11

 

 

Histórias de Superação (1 de maio de 2020)

 

 

Somos a segunda linha de defesa (27 de abril de 2020)

Video disponível com legendas em  CN  |  EN

 

 

 

Mensagem de Filipe Gaspar, Chief Technology Officer (7 de abril de 2020)

 

 

 

Mensagem de Tiago Ferreira de Matos, General Counsel (31 de março de 2020)

 

 

 

Mensagem de Guy Villax - Lavagem de mãos (25 de março de 2020)

 

 



Mensagem de Guy Villax a partir da fábrica de Sete Casas em Portugal (19 de março de 2020)

 

 



Medidas internas coronavírus com procedimentos à chegada aos nossos sites (6 de março de 2020)

 





Recomendação de medidas de proteção individual e coletiva na prevenção da infeção com COVID-19

Fonte: DGS, Direção-Geral da Saúde

 







Prevenção e Proteção

Fonte: DGS, Direção-Geral da Saúde

 

 



O novo coronavírus - COVID-19

Fonte: DGS, Direção-Geral da Saúde

 

 

 

Empresas alteram produção para fabricar desinfetantes

Fonte: RTP1

 

RTP1 Covid-19 Hand sanitizer production | Hovione

 

 

 

Certificações

APCER Covid Safe Verified | Hovione

Em resultado de um esforço conjunto entre a Hovione e a Gertal, as Cantinas de Sete Casas e do Lumiar foram certificadas pela APCER com o selo “Covid Safe Verified”.



“Covid Safe” é uma marca desenvolvida pela APCER que certifica o cumprimento das novas regras de segurança e saúde, no contexto da pandemia da Covid-19. Esta certificação é o reconhecimento da preocupação da Hovione e da Gertal em cumprir as regras estabelecidas e em proporcionar as melhores condições de segurança aos nossos Colaboradores.

 

Notícias / Media

Inspirar à ação… para uma saúde de qualidade (ODS 3) 29 janeiro 2021

 

ABC Covid-19 (para escolas)

A iniciativa ABC Covid-19 visa ajudar as escolas de todo o país com o regresso às aulas de uma forma prática, eficaz e direta, dando apoio para enfrentar as dificuldades encontradas no funcionamento diário. 

A equipa, composta por estagiários e supervisionada pela equipa de resposta ao Covid-19 da Hovione, pretende ajudar a informar os alunos dos bons hábitos a adotar e como prevenir os riscos, mas também dar apoio aos professores e funcionários para que estes tenham acesso a informação fidedigna, atualizada e simples.

Aqui pode encontrar toda a nossa informação em formato PDF para poder utilizar em forma de posters na escola.

Posters
01. Uso de Máscara A / Uso de Máscara
02. Uso de Máscara B 
03. Retirar a Máscara
04. Regras para sair de casa
05. Recomendações
06. Proteção Covid-19
07. Lave as mãos com frequência
08. Lavagem de mãos / Lavagem de mãos
09. Lavagem de mãos com gel desinfetante
10. Como medir a temperatura
11. Medidas Gerais
12. Medidas Escolas
13. Utilização de Líxivia (1)
14. Utilização de Líxivia (2)
15. Instruções para Elevadores
16. Distanciamento Social
17. Desinfetar Superfícies
 

Sabe mais em ABCovid.pt

Segue-nos nas redes sociais:

facebook logo | Hovione

 

instagram logo | Hovione

 

Twitter Logo | Hovione

 

Youtube Logo | Hovione

 

 



Esta certificação tem a validade de 6 meses e é renovada após auditorias de acompanhamento previamente agendadas ou sem aviso prévio. 

 

 

 

Aluno de artes de 17 anos da António Arroio vence concurso ABCovid

Tomás Oliveira, de 17 anos, aluno da Escola Artística António Arroio, em Lisboa, é o vencedor do concurso ABCovid, com o vídeo “Covid-19 simplificado para totós”, em que explica de modo simples e gráfico porque precisamos de máscara para nos protegermos do novo coronavírus.

O concurso ABCovide é uma iniciativa dos estagiários da Hovione dirigida a estudantes do ensino básico e secundário. Para mais informações visite a página www.abcovid.pt 

 

 

Also in the Press Room

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Hovione is an international CDMO with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, providing a comprehensive range of services for New Molecular Entities (NMEs) including drug substances, intermediates, and finished drug products. Hovione also provides niche generic API products and delivers advanced technologies to support a variety of drug delivery systems, including oral, injectable, inhalation, and topical formats. Today, the company employs 2,500 people worldwide and offers 900 m3 of manufacturing capacity. Jean-Luc Herbeaux joined Hovione as Chief Operations Officer in 2020 and was appointed CEO in April 2022. Previously, he held multiple high-level leadership positions at Evonik, where he last headed the Health Care Business Line. Herbeaux earned a Diplôme d’Ingénieur from UTC in France and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston in the U.S. In this Q&A with Contract Pharma, Herbeaux discusses Hovione’s leadership in spray drying and continuous tableting technologies, the fundamental purpose that drives the company, long-term growth strategies and more.   Contract Pharma: What are the most significant trends you are currently observing in the CDMO industry? Jean-Luc Herbeaux: Several powerful trends are currently reshaping the CDMO industry. First, we are seeing a rapid increase in the complexity of synthetic molecules. These compounds often require longer, more sophisticated chemical routes and access to specialized, qualified capacity. They also drive demand for advanced formulation technologies, particularly in particle engineering and bioavailability enhancement, where spray drying has become a key enabling platform. Second, development timelines continue to compress. Sponsors want to move faster, which significantly increases the pressure on manufacturing organizations. CDMOs are expected to design, build, qualify, and scale assets in much shorter timeframes. This challenge is amplified by the simultaneous launch of very large-volume products, where commercial capacity may not yet exist and must be created in parallel with late-stage development. These dynamics clearly favor CDMOs that already have available capacity, strong engineering depth, and proven capabilities in rapid, right-first-time scale-up. Third, the regionalization of supply chains is becoming a structural reality. Concepts such as “USA for USA” or “China for China” represent a fundamental shift for an industry that was historically optimized around globally integrated networks. CDMOs with a truly international manufacturing footprint and strong scalability are best positioned to support this transition and to meet the expectations of global pharmaceutical customers. Finally, all these forces are accelerating the evolution of customer relationships — from transactional outsourcing toward strategic, long-term partnerships. As regulatory standards tighten and customer audits become broader and more rigorous, CDMOs aspiring to be strategic partners must go well beyond technical excellence. They must demonstrate highly professionalized operations, robust quality systems, strong governance, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into their customers’ development and supply strategies. CP: How does Hovione maintain its leadership in spray drying and continuous tableting technologies? Herbeaux: Establishing and maintaining leadership demands focus, discipline and commitment to continuous improvement. Decathletes are versatile but rarely dominate a single event. Similarly, I believe pharma CDMOs must decide whether to focus on selected technologies to achieve excellence or maintain a broad offering with inevitable compromises in depth and focus. At Hovione, we have chosen to specialize, dedicating over 20 years to perfecting spray drying. Thanks to this dedication, we have built unmatched know-how in particle engineering, scale-up, and industrialization, by optimizing materials, formulation, process design, automation, hardware design, and nurturing internal talents and partnerships. Specialized CDMOs like Hovione are uniquely positioned to lead this journey, given their exposure to a far broader range of compounds than any individual pharmaceutical company encounters within its own development pipeline. Our journey in continuous tableting is more recent, yet it follows the same playbook: we apply the same disciplined, end-to-end rigor across processes, hardware, automation, talent, and partner networks to drive usability and adoption. We do so by weaving innovation and continuous improvement into everything we do, with all our team members and partners contributing. This specialized approach has made Hovione very relevant to the pharmaceutical market, not by virtue of size or volume, but through the differentiation achieved in these areas of heightened focus. In turn, this contributes to the creation and reliable supply of superior therapies to the most important stakeholder group – patients. CP: How is Hovione integrating new technologies and innovations in its processes? Herbeaux: At Hovione, we believe in advancing the quality of our services through science and technology.  Our scientific expertise helps bring performance and predictability to the development and manufacturing processes we employ to deliver drug products and their intermediates to our customers, ensuring consistently high-quality results at all scales. Our approach to innovation integrates co-development with our partners and customers to adopt innovations that accelerate development and constantly improve product and process performance. Digital tools and automation—like PAT, advanced analytics, and in silico modeling—are obviously integrated in our processes to improve control, speed, and outcomes. By focusing on innovations that have a real impact, Hovione supports up to 10% of the NDAs submitted to the FDA on any given year and contributes to medicines that reach about 80 million patients. This reflects our dedication to improving patients’ lives. At the core of our identity is this fundamental purpose that guides everything our 2,500 team members do: “We are in it for life.” CP: What is Hovione’s long-term strategy to grow its U.S. operations? What progress has the company made recently? Herbeaux: The significant growth of our New Jersey site in recent years reflects the combined effect of a deliberate strategic decision to reinforce local capabilities and teams —bringing us closer to our customers and their end markets. Our “one-site-stop” approach—bringing together drug substance, drug product intermediate, and drug product capabilities at a single site under one quality system—resonates strongly with customers. This model reduces technology-transfer complexity, compresses timelines, and enables seamless execution from development through commercialization, directly addressing customer demand for accelerated timelines. We recently completed a $100 million investment cycle, including the construction of a 31,000 sq. ft. facility featuring two new commercial-scale size-3 spray dryers dedicated to amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). This investment more than doubles our U.S. spray-drying capacity. The facility will also soon be equipped with a next-generation GEA continuous tableting line (CDC Flex) designed to accommodate a broad range of output levels, from development through commercial-scale volumes. Hovione has also acquired additional land to support a future 125,000 sq. ft. greenfield development. Together, these projects have the potential, over the next decade, to transform our New Jersey site into a fully integrated pharmaceutical manufacturing campus of more than 200,000 sq. ft. CP: What is Hovione’s growth strategy for the rest of the world beyond the U.S.? Herbeaux: The New Jersey expansion is part of Hovione’s multi-year, multi-continent investment plan to create a network of autonomous yet harmonized sites. In Seixal, Portugal, a €200 million investment in a 104-acre campus—including new production buildings, laboratories, and offices—is scheduled to open in 2027, providing clear line of sight for new business opportunities. In Cork, Ireland, a recently completed expansion nearly doubled our local spray-drying capacity. Together, these investments strengthen our key technology platforms— 1) amorphous solid dispersion via spray drying and 2) continuous tableting—enhancing capacity and ensuring redundancy to support global supply continuity. CP: Are there any recent collaborations or partnerships that have been impactful for Hovione’s trajectory? Herbeaux: Strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies (our customers) are particularly rewarding, as they entail long-term commitments, provide preferred access to rich portfolios and pipelines, and support our continuous evolution toward best-in-class performance. In recent years, we have secured a growing number of preferred supplier relationships, which have helped ensure long-term supply of complex drugs and intermediates for our partners while also mitigating risk in our own pipeline. Another category of strategic collaborations involves partners with capabilities that are complementary to ours. Through these collaborations, we expand our innovation ecosystem, enhance our capabilities to address the industry’s toughest challenges, and leverage top industry talent to create value that benefits and respects all participants. Our partnership with Zerion Pharma helps advance the Dispersome technology to boost bioavailability of small-molecule drugs, supported by our ASD-HIPROS intelligent screening platform to speed amorphous solid dispersion formulation development. Our technology partnerships with Dragonfly Technologies (micellar chemistry) and Microinnova (flow chemistry) enable greener, leaner chemistry. Our collaboration with GEA contributes to the higher adoption of continuous tableting with next generation continuous tableting machines, which are easier to use, more compact and address the customer requirement for accelerated development. Building on our leadership in spray drying, we are partnering in systems for respiratory drug delivery, such as dry powder inhaler device technology with H&T Presspart and nasal powder delivery devices with IDC in order to present a complete offering (API, powder, and devices) to the market. Last but not least, we are expanding our network to areas adjacent to our current commercial activities, most notably aseptic particles and formulations, with the goal of addressing drug delivery and stabilization challenges for new modalities. Our specialized synthetic sugars, which show potential in this area, came with the acquisition of ExtremoChem. We will share more details as this offering continues to mature. CP: From a sponsor’s perspective, what should companies look for when choosing a CDMO for early-phase development of complex formulations? Herbeaux: When faced with the difficult task of selecting a CDMO, I would recommend choosing a partner with proven capabilities in the relevant area—particularly when it comes to scaling from early development to commercial production. I would select a CDMO that helps the customer make the right scientific and technical decisions early, anticipating scale-up challenges before they arise. Ultimately, I would choose a partner for the long term, equipped with the right team (including management), equipment, methodologies, quality and regulatory expertise to de-risk both the clinical and commercial programs. A long-term partnership fosters a transparent, collaborative model, supported by strong data protection, with the CDMO functioning as an extension of the customer’s team.  As trust is established and team dynamics are proven, partners can successfully pursue projects even beyond the CDMO’s core technologies, leveraging close collaboration and higher levels of integration to ensure successful outcomes. In my experience, nothing delivers more long-term value than a network of trusted partners. CP: As the CDMO space becomes increasingly crowded, how is Hovione differentiating itself in the eyes of emerging biotech and mid-sized pharma clients? Herbeaux: Our customers’ trust is our most valuable asset. It underpins every collaboration we build and is earned through the depth of our scientific expertise, efficient and reliable manufacturing, strong quality systems, sustainable practices, and long-standing regulatory excellence. This foundation is reflected in the trust placed in us by 19 of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies, as well as many mid-sized pharmaceutical companies and biotech organizations. That trust is never taken for granted. It is earned and reinforced through our continuous efforts to help our customers address their most complex challenges and advance their drug programs with dedication, confidence and timeliness. As a family-owned company with a stable and experienced management team, we provide a clear long-term vision and consistent strategic direction—qualities our customers value highly. Having grown organically with patient outcome in mind, we deeply appreciate that every project matters—both to our pharmaceutical partners and, most importantly, to the patients whose lives depend on the successful launch and delivery of these medicines. Emerging biotech and mid-sized pharma clients can rely on the superior level of engagement and service that has made Hovione successful. Through our integrated model, we support the development and manufacturing of drug substance, drug product intermediates, and finished drug products for both clinical and commercial applications—enabling smooth scale-up, consistent results, and accelerated timelines. Our R&D and operations teams work in close partnership, coordinated by best-in-class project management practices, to ensure fast, reliable transfer from laboratory scale to GMP industrial production, maintaining speed without compromising quality. Throughout every stage, quality and compliance remain at the core of our work, with unwavering adherence to the highest standards. Our leadership in platforms like ASD by spray drying and continuous tableting, together with our capability to drive projects to success at any scale, remains a key source of value for emerging biotech and mid-sized pharma, especially as advanced formulation challenges grow more complex.   Read the full article at ContractPharma.com  

Article

CEO Spotlight: Hovione’s Jean-Luc Herbeaux

Jan 12, 2026