Press Room

CDMO Hovione and biotechnology company Firstgene Life Sciences (of Xlife Sciences) have collaborated to advance Hovione’s drug delivery platform for the targeted treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). “We are proud to advance the development of innovative oncology treatments that address a critical unmet need for precision gene expression at the tissue level,” said Hovione CEO Dr Jean-Luc Herbeaux. The virus-like particle technology will be engineered and functionalised for the specific carcinoma cell type using therapeutically validated AAVs, including a novel primer compound. Hovione will be responsible for molecular engineering, the supply of tailor-made virus-like particles and the execution of proof-of-concept studies. “HCC, the most common liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death, continues to represent a major unmet medical need,” said Firstgene managing director Dr Alexander Zink. “The combination of Hovione’s expertise in complex chemistry and particle engineering and the commercialisation expertise of Xlife Sciences positions Firstgene well to offer patients potential new safe and effective therapy options.”   Read the full article at scientistlive.com    

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Scientist Live, 12 May 2025

Partnership advances liver cancer treatment

May 12, 2025

Lisbon, Portugal, May 6, 2025 – Hovione, an international integrated pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organization, and Firstgene Life Sciences, a portfolio company of the Swiss incubator Xlife Sciences AG (SIX:XLS), today announced a strategic collaboration to advance Hovione’s proprietary virus-like particle drug delivery platform for the targeted treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), a therapeutic indication developed by Firstgene. Under the terms of the collaboration, Hovione will grant Firstgene an exclusive license to its proprietary novel targeted Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV)-Like particle technology for the treatment of HCC and will provide preclinical R&D services.  The virus-like particle technology will be engineered and functionalized for the specific carcinoma cell type using therapeutically validated AAVs, including a novel primer compound. Hovione will be responsible for molecular engineering, the supply of tailor-made virus-like particles, and the execution of proof-of-concept studies. “We are thrilled to see our new gene vector particle platform adopted by Firstgene and its forward-thinking leadership team,” said Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer of Hovione. “We are proud to advance the development of innovative oncology treatments that address a critical unmet need for precision gene expression at the tissue level. This partnership is a testament to our mission of turning scientific complexity into real-world solutions that truly make a difference for patients.” “Firstgene is proud to highlight its collaboration with Hovione on this groundbreaking project. HCC, the most common liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death, continues to represent a major unmet medical need. The combination of Hovione’s expertise in complex chemistry and particle engineering and the commercialization expertise of Xlife Sciences positions Firstgene well to offer patients potential new safe and effective therapy options”, said Dr. Alexander Zink, Managing Director of Firstgene Life Sciences GmbH.     About Hovione  Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and manufacturing, capsule filling and devices. Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards. About Firstgene Firstgene Life Sciences GmbH is a technology-driven biotech start-up located in Mainz, Germany, incubated by Xlife Sciences AG, Zürich, Switzerland. Firstgene aims to deliver innovative treatments for indications with a high unmet medical need and is backed by Xlife Sciences AG, whose expertise is bridging novel innovation to the health care markets.       

Press Release
Exclusive licensing and R&D collaboration accelerate the development of a novel gene vector platform for precision gene therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma - the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide

Hovione and Firstgene announce strategic collaboration to advance virus-like particle platform for liver cancer

May 06, 2025

Dear Customer, As you may be aware, Portugal and Spain experienced yesterday, April 28 (at approximately 11:30) a widespread power outage. This unexpected event, beyond our control, affected the normal activities at our sites in Portugal. In response, we promptly activated our contingency protocols for this type of situation, prioritizing the safety of facilities and personnel. All ongoing processes were taken to safe hold points, and no new processes were initiated. Our backup power generators ensured continuity of critical functions throughout the duration of the outage, which lasted approximately 11 hours, until the power from the grid was restored at the site. The site began resuming operations gradually through the night making sure all systems being restarted safely and verified to be in good working conditions. We anticipate that most activities will be fully resumed during today. Should you have any specific questions regarding your product or project, we kindly encourage you to contact your Account Manager or Project Manager, who will be glad to assist you. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued partnership.      

News
News release, 29 April 2025

Widespread power outage in Portugal - Message to our clients

Apr 29, 2025

Investment in Hovione Tejo will expand industrial capacity and strengthen the company’s global leadership in spray drying and other advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies The facility will feature state-of-the-art automation and sustainability solutions, reflecting a commitment to excellence in this industry  By 2026, the site ramp-up will be supported by a dedicated team of approximately 40 members, scaling up to 100 as production begins   Lisbon, March 18, 2025 – The first construction phase of the Hovione Tejo Campus in Seixal has entered its final stage, with commissioning set for mid-2027. Spanning 42 hectares to support future expansions, the site will initially feature two production buildings, one for particle engineering technologies and one for final dosage forms. Facilities will be equipped with cutting-edge automation. With an initial investment of around €200 million, the project will create around one hundred highly skilled jobs, enabling Hovione to expand its industrial capacity and reinforce its global position. With the opening of this new Campus, Hovione will operate five manufacturing sites across three continents: two in Portugal (Loures and Seixal), and one each in Ireland (Cork), the United States (New Jersey), and Macau.  “This new phase of Hovione Tejo´s construction is a major step in the company’s international expansion. By combining state-of-the-art scientific and engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology, this greenfield expansion will enable compliant and efficient manufacturing of complex new medicines for our customers. It will also create numerous direct and indirect qualified jobs, strengthening the pharmaceutical ecosystem in the beautiful region of Seixal. The products manufactured here will be exported worldwide, contributing to improving the health of millions of people”, said Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, CEO of Hovione.  The two initial production buildings will be complemented by supporting infrastructure such as laboratories, offices, cafeteria and other shared facilities. The new Campus will incorporate advanced sustainability and decarbonization solutions to minimize environmental impact and ensure energy efficiency.  Operations will begin with 40 team members in 2026, increasing to 100 once production starts. “We have assembled a multidisciplinary team, drawing expertise from our entire organization, to design a Campus that sets new standards. It will provide an exceptional environment for our team members, suppliers and customers, conducive to the development of new solutions based on high yield collaborations”, added Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux. About Hovione  Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and manufacturing, capsule filling and devices. Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards.  

Press Release
Investment in Hovione Tejo will expand industrial capacity and strengthen the company’s global leadership in spray drying and other advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.

Hovione’s new campus in Seixal enters final stage of construction. Set to open in mid-2027

Mar 18, 2025

In a recent appearance on CNN Portugal’s Pitch – Brand & Content program, Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Hovione, highlighted a powerful reality: 55% of our employees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) roles are women. At Hovione, we’re proud to foster an environment where women in science thrive - leading innovation, driving progress, and shaping the future of healthcare. But our commitment goes beyond numbers - it’s about creating the right conditions for scientific talent to grow, equally and globally. “I am proud to say that, in our company, there is no gender pay gap between men and women. We empower everyone. Our female and male scientists are all working to find more sustainable, faster, and more productive ways to achieve victories over diseases.” - Ilda Ventura Watch the full edition to learn more about our commitment to women in science at CNNPortugal.pt  (Language: Portuguese)  

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CNN Portugal, 15 March 2025

Ilda Ventura broadcasted on CNN Portugal

Mar 15, 2025

Why you shouldn’t neglect the importance of blending people, culture, and strategy to foster success in a business. People, customer centricity, and a clear strategy bring strong values to the forefront of every business. Fostering a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction enables team members to bring their best selves to work each day, driving innovation and excellence. Earlier this year, CDMO Hovione demonstrated success by being certified as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute (TEI) across all four of its global manufacturing sites in Portugal, Ireland, the US, and Macau, for the third consecutive year. We spoke to board member and Senior Vice-President of Human Resources at Hovione Ilda Ventura to find out how. What specific strategies and initiatives have you implemented to maintain the company’s Top Employer status?   We started the latest TEI Certification in 2023. Since then, we have been focusing on areas that can differentiate us as employers. In the US, for example, we have invested in bringing more proximity to the HR team, improving our listening strategy and the employee experience. The initiatives span from establishing better alignment between the business strategy and the people strategy, living our values and celebrating our successes. We are accelerating our global growth while strengthening our operations worldwide. It is essential for us to ensure that all our employees, regardless of their location, enjoy a consistent and unified work experience. Having all four of our sites recognized by TEI confirms that we are on the right path. What changes have been made to Hovione's recognition and rewards programs to motivate employees?   By implementing a global job architecture with clear career roadmaps supported by a performance and compensation annual cycle. Everyone is eligible to merit remuneration increases and bonuses, and the corporate results are shared with everyone in a transparent way. This allows us to create a culture of recognition, where individual contributions are valued and aligned with the company's overall success. It fosters motivation and engagement, ensuring employees feel appreciated for their efforts and understand how their work directly aligns with our purpose. This culture not only enhances employee satisfaction, but strengthens our ability to attract and retain top talent.  How important is it to monitor consistent employee engagement and satisfaction across global locations?   Our employee engagement survey results are carefully reviewed and discussed both locally and globally, ensuring we address the unique needs of each region while driving company-wide progress. We prioritize actionable improvements that resonate with our teams, engaging cross-functional and geographically diverse groups to implement meaningful change.  Across our sites, we’ve made significant investments tailored to each region while maintaining a unified approach to employee satisfaction. In the US, where employees value transparency, recognition, and growth opportunities, we’ve enhanced communication, feedback channels, and career development pathways. Similarly, in Portugal, Ireland, and Macau, we’ve introduced initiatives to promote collaboration, recognition, and personal growth, ensuring all employees experience a sense of belonging and purpose.  The actions we take are closely monitored, and every improvement is shared openly across all locations, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and celebration that connects and empowers our workforce.  How are you working to attract and retain top talent in the competitive pharma industry?   We continuously strive to strengthen our reputation as an employer of choice. Participating in TEI allows us to have an independent assessment of our HR efforts and initiatives, ensuring that we are continuously improving and aligning with best practices. In addition, we have robust referral programs in place, supported by the fact that over 70 percent of our employees are strong promoters of the company. This is a testament to the positive culture we’ve built, and we are focused on leveraging this strength to attract and retain top talent.  In what ways does the company communicate and reinforce its core purpose and values among employees?   Our motto is “In it for life” – so, for example, every year we celebrate in each site our “Victory Over Diseases” by communicating the new products that we are manufacturing, as well as the new patents and innovative ideas that contribute to fighting diseases and improving global health. Contributing to saving the lives of billions of people worldwide is a way to motivate our people to challenge themselves and push the limits of innovation. By celebrating our achievements and their impact, we inspire our teams to think creatively, embrace new challenges, and contribute to solutions that make a real difference in the world. It´s an invitation to live our purpose.  Macau was the first site in the region to earn Top Employer certification last year and has renewed it this year. What unique challenges and successes have been experienced in achieving and maintaining this status in Macau?   Macau is unique. It’s the only site in this industry in the territory, so we have taken advantage of that to differentiate ourselves as an employer by collaborating with universities and local authorities to offer career opportunities and benefits that are a reference in the region.  What areas have you identified for continuous improvement in workplace practices and employee satisfaction in the future?   We will continue to strengthen our employee value proposition by mapping the employee journey and addressing every touchpoint to enhance the overall experience. Both people and business needs are constantly changing. It requires continuous adaptation of processes to meet evolving expectations. If I had to highlight one key focus, it would be alumni engagement. The Hovione community is extensive and goes beyond our current team members. We see a clear opportunity to create an alumni program to stay connected with those who have been part of our journey.    Read the full article on themedicinemaker.com    

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The Medicine Maker, 13 February 2026

The Secret to Being a Good Employer

Feb 13, 2025

Three is the magic number for Hovione as it’s once again been certified as a top employer. For the third consecutive year, all four of its manufacturing sites - Lisbon, Cork, East Windsor in USA, and Macau - have been certified as Top Employers by the Top Employers Institute. Hovione is an international integrated pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organisation. This certification follows, Hovione said, a rigorous audit process. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer, Hovione, explained: “This recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the entire Hovione team. Hovione is a development and manufacturing service company operating in one of the most demanding and regulated industries. We understand that our success is deeply rooted in our people. “Together, as One Hovione, we are committed to continuously refining our practices to foster a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction, so that, every day, our team members bring their best selves to work, driving innovation and excellence at every step,” Jean-Luc added. Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Member of the Management Board, Hovione, said: “This distinction underscores our unwavering commitment to our people. At Hovione, we design our HR systems and processes to ensure that every team member enjoys a consistent and fulfilling experience, regardless of their role, function, or location.” Imelda Cummins, HR Director for Hovione Ireland, said: “This distinguished accreditation is a testament to our commitment to establish frameworks to attract, engage and retain top talent. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and this recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team who strive every day to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Receiving the Top Employer accreditation is motivation for us to keep pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an exceptional employer.” Hovione recently celebrated the opening of a multi-million euro expansion at its site in Ringaskiddy, which almost doubled the capacity of its spray drying facilities.   Read the full article on CorkIndependent.com  

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Cork Independent, 22 January 2025

Hovione gets top employer accolade

Jan 22, 2025

Hovione has once again solidified its position as a top employer in all four of its manufacturing sites - Lisbon (Portugal), Cork (Ireland), East Windsor (NJ, USA), and Macau. The program highlights the company’s significant advancements in several critical areas, including Purpose & Values, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Employer Branding, and Recognition & Rewards, driven by sustained investment in people. This certification from the Top Employers Institute follows a rigorous audit process and underscores Hovione’s consistency in investing in people and world-class workplace practices, as well as the unwavering commitment of its more than 2,300 employees to the company's core purpose and values.  “This recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the entire Hovione team,” said Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer. “Hovione is a development and manufacturing service company operating in one of the most demanding and regulated industries. We understand that our success is deeply rooted in our people. Together, as One Hovione, we are committed to continuously refining our people practices to foster a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction, so that, every day, our team members bring their best selves to work, driving innovation and excellence at every step.” Macau, which became the first company in the region to achieve Top Employer certification last year, has successfully renewed the status, solidifying Hovione’s global leadership in workplace excellence. With its consistent Top Employer recognition, Hovione demonstrates that the talent strategy is perfectly aligned with the business strategy. Watch Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Member of the Management Board of Hovione, video about what this certification means for Hovione.   For additional information, please read the press release.  

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The certification is granted to Hovione's four manufacturing sites for the third consecutive year.

Hovione strengthens its global position as a top employer

Jan 16, 2025

All manufacturing sites - Lisbon (Portugal), Cork (Ireland), East Windsor (NJ), and Macau - recognized for excellence in workplace practices Significant progress in key areas as Purpose & Values, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Employer Branding, and Recognition & Rewards, driven by sustained investment in people Lisbon, January 16, 2025 - Hovione, an international integrated pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organization, has once again solidified its position as a top employer. For the third consecutive year, all four of its manufacturing sites - Lisbon (Portugal), Cork (Ireland), East Windsor (NJ, USA), and Macau - have been certified as Top Employers by the Top Employers Institute. This certification follows a rigorous audit process and underscores Hovione’s consistency in investing in people and world-class workplace practices, as well as the unwavering commitment of its more than 2,300 employees to the company's core purpose and values. “This recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the entire Hovione team,” said Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer. “Hovione is a development and manufacturing service company operating in one of the most demanding and regulated industries. We understand that our success is deeply rooted in our people. Together, as One Hovione, we are committed to continuously refining our people practices to foster a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction, so that, every day, our team members bring their best selves to work, driving innovation and excellence at every step.” For Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Member of the Management Board of Hovione, “this distinction underscores our unwavering commitment to our people. At Hovione, we design our HR systems and processes to ensure that every team member enjoys a consistent and fulfilling experience, regardless of their role, function, or location. By prioritizing equity and inclusion, we strengthen our differentiated Employee Value Proposition, enriching the journey for both current and future talent.” The Top Employers Institute program highlights the company’s significant advancements in several critical areas, including Purpose & Values, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Employer Branding, Rewards & Recognition, and across all locations. Macau, which became the first-ever company in the region to earn Top Employer certification last year, successfully renewed its status this year, further solidifying Hovione’s global leadership in workplace excellence. With its consistent recognition as a Top Employer, Hovione demonstrates that investing in people is not just a strategy but a cornerstone of its success, driving innovation, collaboration, and excellence across the organization.   About Hovione  Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and manufacturing, capsule filling and devices. Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards. About Top Employers Institute  Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognizing excellence in People Practices. We help accelerate these practices to enrich the world of work. Through the Top Employers Institute Certification Program, participating companies can be validated, certified, and recognized as an employer of choice. In 2024, Top Employers Institute has certified more than 2300 organizations in 121 countries/regions. These certified Top Employers positively impact the lives of over 12 million employees globally. For more information, please visit www.top-employers.com    

Press Release
Hovione has once again solidified its position as a top employer.

Hovione strengthens its global position as a top employer for the third consecutive year

Jan 16, 2025

ViSync® Technologies, a joint venture between Hovione, a global specialist integrated CDMO and leader in spray drying and particle engineering, and iBET (Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica), a not-for-profit R&D institution specializing in Biotechnology and Life Sciences, is proud to announce the appointment of Elsa Abranches as its Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal, ViSync® Technologies was established to address unmet technological needs in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on developing innovative solutions for the cell and gene therapy space. By leveraging Hovione's expertise in pharmaceutical development, particle engineering, and industrialization, alongside iBET’s pioneering research in biotechnological sciences, ViSync® is uniquely equipped to drive innovation in targeted delivery and stabilization of next-generation therapies.  Dr. Elsa Abranches brings over two decades of experience in cell and gene therapy, with a strong track record of leading diverse teams in dynamic environments. In her new role as ViSync® CSO, she will drive the company’s R&D strategy and scientific vision, positioning ViSync® as a leader in innovation within the dynamic and rapidly advancing field of cell and gene therapy. “We are thrilled to welcome Elsa Abranches as Chief Scientific Officer of ViSync®,” said Dr. Christoph Bruecher, Chairman of the Board of ViSync® and VP Business Transformation at Hovione. “Her expertise and vision in the field of advanced therapeutics will be pivotal in driving ViSync’s mission to create transformative solutions that empower pharmaceutical companies and improve patient treatment outcomes.” Dr. Manuel Carrondo, Director of the Board of ViSync® and Vice President of iBET, added, “Elsa’s appointment underscores our commitment to establishing ViSync® as a leader in cell and gene therapy innovation. Her scientific leadership will be critical as we tackle some of the most pressing challenges in the field of new modalities drug delivery.” Elsa Abranches, new Chief Scientific Officer of ViSync®, said: “Having worked in different countries and industries, I’m thrilled to bring my experience back home to join ViSync®. This new venture represents an incredible opportunity to collaborate with local and international partners to drive innovation in advanced therapeutics and help shape the future of life-changing therapies”.     About Hovione Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and manufacturing, capsule filling and devices. Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards.   About iBET iBET is a private non-profit institution devoted to biotechnology research, with 35 years of experience creating and transferring knowledge to the global biopharma and biotech sectors. iBET’s core expertise lies on the development of bioprocesses and analytical tools for Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMPs), including cell and gene therapies, vaccines, antibodies and other innovative therapeutic products. Leveraged by the emerging areas of Data Science and Translational Immunology, we offer bespoke R&D services from early-stage R&D to GMP manufacturing. iBET’s infrastructure comprises cutting-edge laboratories, a GMP certified Analytical Services Unit, and a Late-Stage R&D and Bioproduction Unit, covering upstream and downstream process development, bioanalytical tools for critical quality attribute monitoring, to scale-up and tech transfer. iBET also hosts satellite laboratories of major pharmaceutical companies and serves as an incubation platform for start-up/spin-off companies. iBET is driven by its innovative and agile culture of continuous improvement and a strong sense of ambition, ownership and commitment in developing and delivering the best solutions to our stakeholders.     

News
ViSync® Technologies, a joint venture between Hovione and iBET is proud to announce the appointment of Elsa Abranches as its Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

ViSync® Technologies appoints Elsa Abranches as Chief Scientific Officer

Dec 19, 2024

Lisbon, November 25, 2024, Hovione, the specialist integrated CDMO and the leader in spray drying and particle engineering, just completed significant expansions in Europe and the USA. The investments at its East Windsor, New Jersey, and Ringaskiddy, Cork, facilities will significantly increase Hovione's global spray drying capacity and enhance the sites‘capabilities.   This latest round of investment reinforces Hovione’s position as the global leader in spray drying for pharma applications, an essential technology for enhancing drug solubility and bioavailability. Spray drying converts liquid solutions into fine powders, enabling improved dissolution and absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs. This process is particularly valuable for inhalable therapies and oral formulations with low bioavailability, helping to deliver more effective treatments and ensuring reliable, high-quality healthcare solutions for patients.  In New Jersey, the investment represents the first step of a multi-year site expansion program, aimed at advancing both spray drying and tableting capabilities. Simultaneously, the Cork facility saw its spray drying capacity increase nearly twofold. Combined, these efforts are creating over 40 new skilled jobs, driving growth and innovation across both locations. Dr Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer of Hovione said: “These expansions, incorporating our latest technologies, reflect Hovione’s unwavering commitment to innovation and manufacturing service excellence. Strengthening our facilities and teams in the USA and Ireland allows us to better serve our customers and provide flexible supply options for both small- and large-scale programs. By increasing our capacity and enhancing our technological capabilities, we are even better equipped to help our customers bring new and more complex drugs to market.” The investments at both sites are part of Hovione’s long-term strategy to remain at the forefront of pharmaceutical technology. With a 65-year history of continuous improvement, Hovione is driving progress in drug development and manufacturing, offering solutions that enable more effective treatments and improved patient outcomes.   About Hovione:  Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and manufacturing, capsule filling and devices. Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards.   In the picture from left to right: Dr. Till Riehm, Site Manager - Cork, Hovione; Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, CEO, Hovione; Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner Designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law; Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland; Jorge Pastilha, VP Technical Operations - Europe and Asia, and Dr. Paul Downing, Senior Director, Strategic Business Management.    

Press Release
Hovione has completed significant expansions at its facilities in New Jersey, USA, and Cork, Ireland.

Hovione Expands Global Spray Drying Capacity with Significant Investment in the USA and Ireland

Nov 26, 2024

International pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Hovione has today officially commissioned an expansion at its manufacturing facility in Ringaskiddy. The multi-million euro investment almost doubles the capacity of Hovione’s spray drying facilities in Ireland and will create more than 20 new positions. Hovione said this latest investment reinforces the company's position as a global leader in spray drying for pharma applications.   This manufacturing technology, the company explained, is "especially important for inhalable therapies and oral medications with low bioavailability, enabling more effective treatments".  Deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Audrey Buckley said:  “I am delighted to welcome this very significant investment and the creation of further highly skilled jobs in Cork today.  “It reinforces Hovione’s commitment to the region and the innovative solutions it provides to the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland.” Meanwhile Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner-Designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law, welcomed the expected jobs boost the expansion is to create.  “This latest investment highlights the success of Hovione’s facility in Ringaskiddy, and underlines the continued resilience of Ireland’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.  “I am delighted that Hovione will be shortly welcoming new team members to this expanded facility, and I wish both them and Hovione every success”. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione's chief executive said: “This newly opened facility further strengthens Hovione's position as the global CDMO of choice for spray drying development and manufacturing services.  “It also underscores our commitment to bringing first-in-class technology and world-leading manufacturing services to Irish shores.  “Ireland provides a superior environment for pharmaceutical manufacturing, and we are delighted to be a part of it.” CEO of IDA Ireland, Michael Lohan, said Hovione "has made a significant contribution both locally and nationally through employment and investment alike". "We warmly welcome Hovione’s commitment to investing in Cork and we wish them continued success," he added.    Read the full article on EchoLive.ie    

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EchoLive, 25 November 2024

Pharma company announces expansion of Cork facility to create more than 20 new jobs

Nov 25, 2024

Pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing company Hovione has officially commissioned an expansion at its manufacturing facility in Ringaskiddy, Cork.  Announcing the development on Monday, the multi-million euro investment almost doubles the capacity of Hovione’s spray drying facilities in Ireland and will create more than 20 new positions. This manufacturing technology is especially important for inhalable therapies and oral medications with low bioavailability, enabling more effective treatments, the company said. Deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Audrey Buckley said: “I am delighted to welcome this very significant investment and the creation of further highly skilled jobs in Cork today.  "It reinforces Hovione’s commitment to the region and the innovative solutions it provides to the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland.”  Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner-Designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law said: “This latest investment highlights the success of Hovione’s facility in Ringaskiddy, and underlines the continued resilience of Ireland’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. "I am delighted that Hovione will be shortly welcoming new team members to this expanded facility, and I wish both them and Hovione every success”. This latest investment builds on the momentum of the recently announced spray drying capacity expansion at the Company's East Windsor, New Jersey, site.  Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione´s Chief Executive said: “This newly opened facility further strengthens Hovione´s position as the global CDMO of choice for spray drying development and manufacturing services.  "It also underscores our commitment to bringing first-in-class technology and world-leading manufacturing services to Irish shores. Ireland provides a superior environment for pharmaceutical manufacturing, and we are delighted to be a part of it.” IDA chief executive Michael Lohan said the company has made a significant contribution both locally and nationally, adding: "I am pleased to be here today to mark another step on that journey. We warmly welcome Hovione’s commitment to investing in Cork and we wish them continued success.”   Read the full article on IrishExaminer.com  

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Irish Examiner, 25 November 2024

Pharma company Hovione to double capacity at Cork site as part multi-million euro investment

Nov 25, 2024

Lisbon, October 3, 2024 – Hovione Farmaciência, S.A. (“Hovione”) and Zerion Pharma A/S (“Zerion”) today announced that they have expanded their partnership to accelerate the development of the Dispersome® technology platform and further expand its applicability and reach for increasing the solubility and bioavailability of small drug molecules. To this aim, the companies created a joint venture responsible for managing the Dispersome® intellectual property portfolio and allocated market rights to the two partners. Hovione and Zerion have been co-promoting the Dispersome® technology to clients since the beginning of 2022. Under the extended collaboration, Hovione is granted exclusive global rights to develop and offer the Dispersome® technology for drugs delivered via the respiratory route, a field where Hovione is active today with leading formulation and manufacturing capabilities. Further, Hovione is granted exclusive rights to develop and offer Dispersome® formulations for nutraceutical and medicinal foods products, an area with unmet needs in the area of bioavailability. Hovione is also granted a non-exclusive license to promote the Dispersome® technology for use in Pharmaceutical oral dosage forms for new chemical entities. In return for the grant of rights, Zerion will receive royalties from Hovione’s commercial activities in these fields. Within the framework of the joint venture, the parties will work closely together to bring the Dispersome® technology to customers as quickly as possible. Arla Foods Ingredients (Denmark) will deliver the pharmaceutical excipient (Lacprodan® BLG-100 Pharma Grade) for the Dispersome® technology, when BLG is accepted as a novel excipient. “Hovione is thrilled to reinforce its collaboration with Zerion to further accelerate the adoption of Dispersome® in the pharma and nutra markets,” said Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione’s CEO. “The use of Zerion’s Dispersome® Technology has proven to deliver superior solubilization power for both pharma and nutraceutical active ingredients. This highly innovative platform is a valuable addition to Hovione’s leading offering in solubility and permeability enhancement for NCEs and nutraceuticals and affords formulators new options which address unmet needs of the industry.” Ole Wiborg, the CEO of Zerion, comments: “Hovione is the global leader in the field of producing amorphous solid dispersions by spray-drying and this extension of our partnership again confirms the huge potential of our Dispersome® technology. If one company in the pharma industry can truly judge its value, it is Hovione, and we have a strong belief in sharing our technology with Hovione, who will secure its use with more drugs and ingredients and in applications across several delivery routes. Thus, we expect substantial revenues from the collaboration in the years to come.” Through their partnership, Hovione and Zerion are offering pharma, biotech and nutra companies worldwide access to an innovative delivery platform combined with an unparalleled experience in formulation development, scale-up, and GMP manufacturing. The Dispersome® technology Zerion has pioneered the Dispersome® technology that addresses poor drug solubility, one of the most recognized drug development challenges. The Dispersome® technology increases solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble compounds and can be applied at any stage of drug discovery or drug development, including in preclinical studies, first in human studies, and reformulation of existing drug products.   About Hovione Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and manufacturing, capsule filling and devices. About Zerion Pharma A/S Zerion develops its own proprietary drug formulations and offers its Dispersome® technology platform to established pharma companies as a means to solve their challenging drug solubility problems. Zerion was established in 2019 as a spinout of the University of Copenhagen.     Read the previous press releases on this story: Hovione and Zerion Pharma announce a strategic partnership to market the Dispersome® technology platform Zerion Pharma and Hovione extend partnership to cover use of the Dispersome® technology platform in nutraceuticals  

Press Release
A partnership to accelerate the development of the Dispersome® technology platform and further expand its applicability and reach for increasing the solubility and bioavailability of small drug molecules.

Hovione and Zerion Pharma create joint venture to further expand use of Dispersome® technology

Oct 03, 2024

Hovione’s Eunice Costa Shares Insights on Inhaled Medicine Formulation in Pharmaceutical Technology eBook The demand for efficient inhalation therapies is higher than ever. At Hovione we are focusing on particle size, dispersion performance, and formulation integrity to ensure optimal bioavailability and patient outcomes.  To learn more about or work, do not miss the contribution of Eunice Costa, our R&D Director for Inhalation & Advanced Drug Delivery, in the latest Pharmaceutical Technology eBook – “Trends in Formulation”.  In her interview, Eunice discusses key challenges and considerations in formulating inhaled medicines, emphasizing the importance of excipient selection, device compatibility, and patient-centric design for successful drug delivery to the lungs. With respiratory diseases at the forefront, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for efficient inhalation therapies is higher than ever. Eunice sheds light on how Hovione is tackling these demands by focusing on particle size, dispersion performance, and formulation integrity to ensure optimal bioavailability and patient outcomes. Explore Eunice Costa’s full insights on this crucial area of drug development in Pharmaceutical Technology's September 2024 eBook. This resource provides an in-depth look into the complexities of inhaled drug formulations and the exciting innovations shaping the future of respiratory treatments.   Read the full article at Pharmaceutical Technology eBook Read the Trends in Formulation eBook at PharmTech  

Article
Excipient and delivery device selection play crucial roles in the formulation of inhaled drugs.

Formulating Inhaled Medicines

Sep 24, 2024

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