Press Room

Event

RDD Europe 2023

Start
Tuesday, May 02, 2023 - 09:00
End
Friday, May 05, 2023 - 17:06
Location: Antibes, France
Booth Number: Table #20
Drug Delivery Formulation | Hovione

Hovione will be exhibiting at RDD conference from May 2-5. Don’t miss the chance to speak with our experts in the Inspiring Dry Powder Inhalation Knowledge Space and learn how our development and manufacturing services for inhalation and nasal - integrated on a single site - can support in bringing your product to market.

 

Find us at the Blue Knowledge Space - Inspiring Dry Powder Inhalation - Table #20

 

schedule a meeting
https://go.hovione.com/l/47122/2014-08-06/9grc

 



 

 

On May 3rd, don’t miss the joint workshop with Hovione and H&T Presspart 

 

Title - “Integrated Development for Capsule-based DPIs - Solving New Challenges”

Presenters: 

  • Susana Saldanha, M.Sc. - R&D Manager, Formulation Development, Hovione
  • João Pereira, M.Sc. - R&D Analytical Development,  Analytical Manager, Hovione
  • Mirjam Kobler Ph.D. -  Global Business Development Manager, H&T Presspart 

Abstract:

This workshop will address the most relevant aspects of DPI development covering formulation to device development, as well as process optimization and analytical characterization.  The most common challenges expected at each stage will also be highlighted. A data-based development approach will be applied using risk analysis and structured experimental design based on various case studies, for different development stages, including process optimization and scale-up activities. Starting with a review on the design and development of a highly efficient capsule-based device, the participants will further learn how to use tools to prepare and design development plans to achieve optimal performance from different formulation strategies to drug-device combinations. Case studies will be presented on the interplay of carrier-based and carrier-free formulations, with a newly designed device. The higher focus will be placed on the hurdles of composite particles formulation and process development as well as capsule filling of said challenging formulations.  Unit operations such as spray drying and capsule filling will be covered during this workshop.

 

On May 4th, don’t miss the POP Session – “Posters on the podium” with Patricia Henriques, M.Sc.

 

Title - Benchmarking of Particle Engineering Strategies for Nasal Powder Delivery: Characterization of Nasal Deposition using the Alberta Idealized Nasal Inlet

 

Abstract:

Powder formulations of a drug and mucoadhesive polymer have increased residence time in the nasal cavity and can be manufactured by blending, spray-drying or agglomeration of primary particles into chimeral agglomerates (CA). While spray-drying allows particle size control and generation of amorphous solid dispersions, blending is simpler and CA should allow faster dissolution after breakup into smaller particles. The objective of this study was to characterize nasal deposition and benchmark nasal powders manufactured by different particle engineering strategies, namely spray dried microparticles (SDM), CA and blends, using the Alberta Idealized Nasal Inlet (AINI). The AINI method conditions were firstly optimized by selecting appropriate angle of actuation and flow rate. Then, six different formulations prepared with distinct polymers and particle engineering strategies were evaluated.

 

On May 5th, don’t miss the Podium Presentation with Eunice Costa R&D Director, Inhalation & Advanced Drug Delivery 

 

Title - “Addressing challenges in high dose dry powder inhalation: formulation and device”

 

Abstract:

High dose delivery to the lungs is gaining momentum to address a diversified array of diseases being treated via respiratory drug delivery, comprising a range of drug classes, spanning from less potent small molecules to biologics. Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI) are the dosage form of choice for delivering high payloads to patients. Still there are opportunities for improvement in terms of ensuring that the formulation addresses the pharmacokinetics needs of the specific drug and indication, in close integration with the device, while ensuring delivery efficiency and safety. 

Herein, different high dose delivery platform approaches are discussed in terms of relative advantages and potential pitfalls, followed by some exemplary case-studies: from small molecules to biologics: development of high dose crystalline formulations and high dose spray dried proteins, as well as implementation of a DPI device suitable for cohesive high dose formulations. 

 

 

Two posters will also be presented:

  • Title - In Vitro Methodologies for the Screening of Nasal Powders: Polymer-based Formulations 

    Presenter: Patricia Henriques, M.Sc. – University of Coimbra, Hovione

     
  • Title - Expediting spray dried DPI formulation via the use of PAT

    Presenter: Maria Inês Lopes, M.Sc. – University of Lisbon, Hovione

 

 

Schedule a meeting with our team and get to know more about our unique range of particle engineering technologies for Inhalation & Nasal such as jet milling, wet milling and spray drying.

Let’s discuss your project together.

schedule a meeting
https://go.hovione.com/l/47122/2014-08-06/9grc



 

 

 

 

Schedule a meeting with our experts.

Find more about RDD Europe.

 

 

 

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A mechanical engineering graduate, this Frenchman is the CEO of the Portuguese pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Hovione. Still owned by the founding family, the company was awarded the 2025 ‘Léonardo de Vinci’ Prize, which recognizes the innovative and successful succession planning of family businesses. With an international career behind him, Jean-Luc Herbeaux is almost more fluent in English than in his native language. At 58, this Frenchman with iceberg-blue eyes is the CEO of Hovione. Founded in the late 1950s, this Portuguese group, with 100% family ownership, has just received the ‘Léonardo de Vinci’ Prize, which highlights entrepreneurial successes tinged with family legacy. While this mid-sized company with a turnover of €500 million maintains a low profile, its pharmaceutical contract manufacturing business is just as obscure to the general public. "Yet, the market for contract manufacturers, or 'contract development manufacturing organizations,' is worth $200 billion", emphasizes the CEO, who has been working in this microcosm for two decades. 500 patents Aware of the stakes, he does not deny "the pharma industry's dependence on Indian and Chinese capabilities". "The fact remains that the trend is toward the regionalization of supply chains, with European manufacturers producing for the Old Continent, American manufacturers for their own market, and so on", he says. And to highlight the foresight of Diane and Ivan Villax, the founding couple, "who thought globally from the very beginning". As a result, the group, with its 500 patents, has factories in China, the United States, and Ireland, without neglecting its home territory. This is evident by the site currently under construction on the banks of the Tagus River, following a €200 million investment. "The heavy engineering and compliance aspects are being finalized, "he explains, emphasizing that this highly regulated sector "is under a microscope". He knows this all too well, as Hovione claims to be involved in 5 to 10% of the drugs approved each year by the FDA, the American drug regulatory agency. Professor from Houston to Japan “In this small world, having a good image is important: this is the case with Jean-Luc, passionate about his work, but who knows how to demystify things”, observes Elie Vannier, former chairman of the board of Hovione. He adds that having an international profile is a strength “in this ecosystem where talent and clients are international”. For his part, Jean-Luc retains from his numerous flights “a taste for films of all genres and from all countries”. The son of an administrative employee in secondary schools and an auto insurance expert, the youngest of three children moved around according to his parents' job transfers. He was born in Meaux, grew up in Chartres, and attended the University of Technology of Compiègne, “which already offered programs abroad”. Thus, he left a mechanical engineering internship at a Dior perfume factory to join the University of Houston in Texas, "carrying a 20 kg backpack". Despite his then-limited command of English, he earned a doctorate, became a professor, and met an American woman who would become his wife and the mother of their two children. Next came the University of Kanazawa in Japan. Alas! Disappointed by the academic world, "where you have to fight to get resources", he succumbed to the allure of industry and joined the American chemical company Rohm and Haas, which had fallen under the control of the German company Evonik. 80 million patients He spent twenty years there, in Germany and Singapore, before "accepting the offers from headhunters". He then accepted Hovione's offer, who appointed him Chief Operating Officer in 2020, then CEO two years later, making him the first CEO not from the founding family. The family remains the sole shareholder, which earned the company the ‘Léonardo de Vinci’ Prize, created by the Association Les Hénokiens and the Clos Lucé. Having settled near Lisbon, he substituted walking for combat sports, "having been burned by the injuries of some friends". He also mentioned that Hovione, whose clients include 19 of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies, helps treat more than 80 million patients.   (Translated version)   Read the original and full article in French on LesEchos.fr  

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Jean-Luc Herbeaux aims to boost the growth of the pharmaceutical group Hovione

Dec 02, 2025

The CDMO’s New Jersey manufacturing site expansion will eventually cover more than 200,000 square feet. Portugal-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Hovione has completed an initial $100 million investment round in its East Windsor, New Jersey site. Once completed it will increase the facility’s footprint to more than 200,000 square feet and more than double its capacity for spray drying. Hovione CEO Jean-Luc Herbeaux said: “Since launching our New Jersey operations in 2002, Hovione has been one of the longest established European CDMOs in the United States. “This investment reinforces Hovione’s leadership in spray drying – a core technology platform where we have built extensive know-how and capabilities. By continuing to advance our platforms and expand capacity in the US, we are strengthening the foundation that enables our partners to bring complex medicines to patients more efficiently.” Spray drying is an increasingly important particle engineering technology for improving drug bioavailability through the amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) that can address bioavailability or crystallisation challenges. The initial phase of Hovione’s expansion will include a 31,000-square-foot building to house two size-3 spray dryers (PSD-3) designed for ASD production. Construction at the New Jersey site is already underway and the company plans to start GMP operations in the second quarter of 2026. The initiative is part of Hovione’s long-term strategy to grow its US operations and enhance its integrated drug substance, drug product intermediate and drug product capabilities. Herbeaux said: “This investment addresses growing customer demand for US-based capacity and integrated solutions that shorten development timelines and reduce tech transfer complexity. By consolidating development, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing within a single quality and governance framework, we provide customers with seamless execution from drug substance to drug product.” The company’s New Jersey expansion fits into its wider international growth plan that also includes capacity investments in Ireland and Portugal as it seeks to create a network of autonomous sites spanning the development and commercialisation of APIs, drug product intermediates and drug products.   Read the full article at EuropeanPharmaceuticalReview.com  

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US-base manufacturing and the continued rise of peptides were among the key themes for CDMOs at CPHI Frankfurt 2025. Andrew Warmington reports. Hovione announced during this show that it has completed an initial $100 million investment phase in the expansion of its manufacturing footprint in East Windsor, New Jersey. The company was one of the first European CDMOs to set up in the US back in 2002. CEO Jean-Luc Herbeaux said that when he took over the role four years ago, Hovione's footprint in the US was limited and the site was reaching capacity limitations. (...) Read the full article on SpecChemOnline.com  

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