Press Room

AAPS 2024 PharmSci 360

Start
Sunday, October 20, 2024
End
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Location: Salt Lake City, United States
Booth Number: 1939
Hovione is present at AAPS in October 2024, know more about the event and contact us to schedule a meeting

Visit Hovione’s booth at AAPS PharmSci 360 next October 20-23 in Salt Lake City and meet our team of experts.

The AAPS PharmSci 360 Annual Meeting is organized by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). The event provides a platform for pharmaceutical scientists from academia, industry, government, and other institutions worldwide to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest advancements in the field.

Don't miss our experts' presentations in Salt Lake City

Oral Presentation, 155 F

Development of Spray Drying Processes Grounded on Innovative Approaches

Monday, October 21 | 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Presenting Author: Clara Sa Couto, Ph.D.

Short description: New BCS Class 2 drugs represent up to 70% of the pharmaceutical pipeline. Limited aqueous solubility has been one of the major hurdles in the development of oral-dosage forms, as poor solubility hinders oral bioavailability. Different formulation strategies and enabling technologies have been used to overcome low aqueous solubility, including complexation with other compounds, nano-milling and amorphous solid dispersions (ASD).

ASDs have emerged has one of the preferred methods to improve solubility, with industrially demonstrated processes and multiple approved treatments. Generally, the ASDs manufacturing methods are classified into solvent-based – spray drying (SD), electrospraying, rotary evaporation – and melting or fusion – hot-melt extrusion, KinetiSol, Three-dimensional (3D) printing.

The selection of the most suitable method depends on the nature of the API and the SD has been unanimously recognized as the leading technology due to not only the mild processing conditions but also due to scalability, commercial scale representative ASD material can be produced in laboratorial scale and kept across scales. (full description)

Key learnings:

  • Develop a robust process at lab scale and assure a successful scale-up
  • Understand how to use of mathematical models, rheological and analytical characterization, and PAT tools to improve SD process development
  • Understand how to use a Model Based Methodology to Establish the Design Space and a Commercial Process

Rapid Fire Presentation, 155 E

Streamlining Loss-in-Weight Feeding Process Development Using Predictive Tools

Monday, October 21 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Presenting Author: João Henriques, M.Sc.

Short description: Continuous Direct Compression (CDC) has gained increased attention due to its advantages over batch processing. In CDC, each material is individually fed into the system at a predefined rate via loss-in-weight feeders, making it essential to understand their behavior during processing. This study aimed to predict the feeding performance and ideal setup for a new material, based on material properties. This was achieved by correlating material properties and feeder setup with feeding performance. A wide range of materials, including excipients, APIs, and spray-dried excipients, were physically and rheologically characterized, and their feeding performance evaluated. Results indicate that feeding performance is predominantly influenced by variables related to density, cohesion, and flowability, which can be obtained by performing three characterization analyses. In turn, these properties determine how different setup options influence feeding behavior. This workflow allows a data-driven approach, significantly reducing the time and material spent on process development.

Key learning: In this presentation, attendees will explore the potential of using predictive strategies to develop and optimize a loss-in-weight feeding process for continuous tableting using minimum analytical and rheological characterization.

 

Join Hovione at our poster presentations

Dispersome® as an Advanced Platform for Oral Bioenhancement

Monday, October 21 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Authors: Ana Filipa Ferreira Ph.D., Liliana Rodrigues Ph.D., Carolina Pinheiro Ph.D., Maria Paisana Ph.D., Emmanuel Heinrich Ph.D., Ines Ramos Ph.D., Sara Pinto M.Sc.

Presenting Author: João Henriques, M.Sc.

Improving Lipid Nanoparticles Stability for mRNA Lung Delivery Through Nebulization

Tuesday, October 22 | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Authors: Ricardo Miguel Velez M.Sc., Eunice Costa Ph.D., Susana Saldanha M.Sc., Rute Mota M.Sc., Luís Marques Ph.D.

Presenting Author: Eunice Costa Ph.D.

Natural-Based ASD Platforms: Enhancing Stability and Bioavailability

Tuesday, October 22 | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Authors: Francisco Tavares M.Sc., Clara Sa Couto Ph.D., Joana Cotrim B.Sc., Ines Ramos Ph.D., Vanda Serra Ph.D., Maria Paisana Ph.D.

Presenting Author: Clara Sa Couto, Ph.D.

Protein Stabilization Sweet Spot: Novel Class of Sugar-Based Excipients Enabling Downstream Processing and Formulation

Tuesday, October 22 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Authors: Paulo Roque Lino, Eva C. Lourenço, Joana Diogo, Ricardo Gonçalves, Osvaldo S. Ascenso, Joana Cristóvão, Ana Filipa Ferreira, Luís Marques Ph.D.

Presenting Author: Eunice Costa Ph.D.



 

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Drug Substance at Hovione

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The Leader in Spray Drying

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The Future is Continuous

Meet our experts and find out if Continuous Tableting is right for your product.

Industrialization of Innovative Platforms

Learn more about our Large-scale GMP-compliant platforms that support your project from development to commercialization. 

 



 

Also in the Press Room

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The latest from CDMOs, CMOs, and suppliers featuring Thermo Fisher Scientific, Lonza, SK pharmteco/Lotte Biologics, Hovione, Sai Life Sciences, BioCina, Alcami, Piramal Pharma/IntoCell and Roquette. Formulation Development/Drug Product Manufacturing: Hovione Completes Initial $100-M Investment Cycle in US Operations Hovione, a CDMO of drug substances and drug products, has completed an initial $100-million investment cycle at its site in East Windsor, New Jersey, as part of a strategy to increase its US operations and enhance its integrated drug-substance, drug-product intermediate, and drug-product capabilities. Upon completion, the site will cover more than 200,000 square feet.   The initial expansion phase includes a 31,000-square-foot building that will house two size-3 spray dryers (PSD-3) designed for production of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). This investment more than doubles Hovione’s spray-drying capacity in the US by expanding capabilities for ASD development and commercial manufacturing. Construction is underway at the New Jersey site, with GMP operations planned to start in the second quarter of 2026.  As part of this expansion, Hovione has also acquired additional adjacent land to enable future growth at the East Windsor site. The 125,000-square-foot greenfield will support large-scale production, including continuous and batch tableting capacity, and introduce the latest pharmaceutical technologies and digital innovation with enhanced quality control and R&D capabilities.    Read the full article at DCATvci.org  

Press Clipping

Supplier News: Thermo Fisher, Lonza, SK pharmteco, Hovione & More

Oct 30, 2025

Today marks the start of CPhI Frankfurt, a huge trade show in Germany focused on the supply of pharmaceutical ingredients and other services to the drug industry. C&EN editor in chief Nick Perkins, life sciences editor Laura Howes, and reporter Aayushi Pratap are all there to meet drug outsourcing executives and take the pulse of the sector. In advance of CPhI, Cambrex and Wilmington PharmaTech both just announced big investments in US plants that make active pharmaceutical ingredients. And the Portuguese pharmaceutical services firm Hovione says it has completed a $100 million investment in New Jersey (story below). (...) Hovione invests in spray-drying in New Jersey The pharmaceutical services firm Hovione says it has spent $100 million to expand its operation in East Windsor, New Jersey. The facility spray-dries drug ingredients to create amorphous solid dispersions, which improve solubility and bioavailability. The Portuguese company says the new spray dryers will begin operating in the second quarter of 2026. The New Jersey facility opened in 2002, making Hovione one of the longest-established European pharmaceutical services firms in the US, CEO Jean-Luc Herbeaux says in a press release. Hovione says it has purchased land adjacent to the East Windsor site on which it can add new facilities for services such as spray-drying and drug tableting. Hovione is also investing at its sites in Ireland and Portugal. —Michael McCoy   Read the full article at CEN.acs.org  

Press Clipping

Oct. 28 Business Watch: More plants closing in Europe, Novartis to pay $12 billion for biotech firm

Oct 28, 2025

Developing drugs with poor water solubility remains a major challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers, because solubility impacts bioavailability and effective drug delivery. The vast majority of small molecule drug candidates have low water solubility. For more than two decades, the most successful particle engineering technology to improve drug solubility and bioavailability has been spray drying with an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) platform. Spray drying improves the solubility of oral drugs, inhalable particles, and excipients, and increases the stability of heat-sensitive drug products. Hovione, recognized globally for its industry-leading spray drying capabilities, has recently completed a $100 million investment cycle to enhance its operations in New Jersey. This initiative has successfully doubled Hovione’s spray-drying capacity in the US, strengthening its position in the industry. Hovione’s Expanded U.S. Site in East Windsor, NJ  The first phase of the expansion in East Windsor, NJ, delivers a new 31,000 square foot facility and houses two size-3 spray dryers (PSD-3). This additional capacity allows Hovione to meet increasing customer demand for ASD development and good manufacturing practice (GMP) commercial production. GMP operations are scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2026.  Hovione has also acquired 15 acres of neighboring land, strategically positioning itself for future growth and evolving customer needs for U.S. manufacturing. The newly acquired greenfield site will provide future support for PSD-4–scale commercial production as well as continuous and batch tableting production. It will also be a hub for centralized logistics, enhanced quality control laboratories, and next-generation research and development facilities.  A Global CDMO with a Growing U.S. Footprint  Hovione has operated in New Jersey for more than two decades, establishing itself with a strong U.S. presence for the production of drug substances, intermediates, and finished drug products. A continued emphasis on an integrated service offering, including spray drying, supports delivering innovative medicines to patients more quickly.  The expansion of the East Windsor site addresses the rising demand for U.S. manufacturing and is an integral part of the company's ongoing global growth strategy, with facilities in Portugal, Ireland, and Macau. The company continues to bolster a cohesive network for drug development and commercial manufacturing unified by a corporate quality system and governance framework.  The integrated offering enhances development speed and eases technology transfers by unifying the team's technical skills, proprietary technologies, and digital platforms to efficiently produce drug substance to drug products at a single-site, through Hovione’s “one site, one partner” vision. Furthermore, Hovione’s strategic partnership model offers customers exclusive access to advanced technologies and resources while aiding in the optimization of their development programs and ensuring sustained value creation.  End-to-End Spray Drying and Particle Engineering: From Grams to Tons Hovione is a global leader in spray drying and particle engineering. Services include solubility enhancement and controlled-modified release via development and production of ASDs of both small and large molecules, supporting various modalities. ASD-HIPROS, Hovione’s proprietary spray drying screening platform, identifies optimal formulations that offer optimal performance and stability. By increasing production volume in the US, Hovione will meet customer demand for spray drying services:  Development services in the laboratory (1 g – 1 kg batches)  Pilot scale production (0.5 – 25 kg batches)  Small-scale production (5 – 200 kg batches)  Large-scale commercial manufacturing (50 – 400 kg batches) A Commitment to Sustainability  Hovione’s core values include a commitment to sustainability at all facilities. This commitment is reflected in a business strategy that focuses on improving the communities where the company operates. Hovione’s sustainability policy and strategy align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and include adherence to science-based targets in line with the Paris Agreement to address climate change. Meeting these goals has required a dedication to process intensification and ensuring sustainability of manufacturing processes. This has been possible through strategic planning and commitments from senior management to ensure sustainability is addressed throughout the drug development life cycle.  Partner with a Technology-Leading CDMO for U.S. Manufacturing   As demand for poorly water-soluble drug formulations continues to rise in the U.S., expanding spray drying throughput is essential to meet the need for innovative therapeutics. With proven leadership in spray drying to manufacture ASDs, Hovione is able to support pharmaceutical companies by solving their solubility challenges efficiently and reliably.  Partnering with a CDMO that combines global leadership, advanced technologies, and the necessary manufacturing capacity in the U.S., drug developers can expedite time to market, ensure quality, and deliver innovative medicines to patients faster.  If your company is seeking access to the latest spray-drying capabilities, expanded U.S. manufacturing capacity, and an accelerated path to regulatory filing and commercialization, contact our team today.     

News

Hovione is Expanding Spray Drying Capacity for U.S. Drug Manufacturing

Oct 27, 2025