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News / Oct 30, 2019

Hovione’s innovative solutions nominated for CPhI awards 2019

Learn more about the innovations from our scientists

Hovione is nominated for CPhI awards 2019 being shortlisted in two categories:

1. “API Development”, for its PRIME tool - Process Ranking of Inputs from Manufacturing.

“It is an honour to have been selected for the finalists’ panel, which is already by itself an achievement. The PRIME tool enables to grow our collective knowledge on chemical processes and being able to visualize how each project is evolving along the lifecycle according to several metrics; additionally, we can establish thresholds for different metrics according to our past knowledge and develop our process to meet those targets. We can also start to build automatically databases for e.g. the most frequent reaction conditions per type of reaction. The tool not only helps managing better our knowledge on chemical processes but also adds a lot of value for our customers” said Filipe Ataíde, PhD, one of Hovione’s scientists responsible for PRIME.

2. “Analysis, Testing, and Quality Control” for its Accelerated dissolution methods for extended release drug product.

Hovione’s innovative solutions nominated for CPhI awards 2019 | Hovione

“Extended release formulations provide many advantages to patients and greatly simplify treatment but carry a heavy burden in terms of quality control. The methodology presented here aims at reducing the burden on the quality control lab, by developing accelerate dissolution methods that shorten the API release duration from several months to a few days. This accelerates the analysis timing and still guarantees the quality of the drug product since a good correlation with the long-term API release is the base of this development. Most importantly, this development poses a very significant advantage in terms of patient compliance, particularly for drugs where administration is complex such as those administered through the ocular route, or when the risk of missing a dose is high, and also regarding drugs with a frequent administration for extended periods. Above all, it contributes to the patients’ well-being” said Mafalda Paiva, MsC, one of Hovione’s scientists responsible for this innovation.

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With more than six decades of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, Hovione is an international CDMO offering a comprehensive range of services for New Molecular Entities (NMEs), including drug substances, intermediates, and drug products. The company also supplies niche generic APIs and delivers advanced technologies supporting multiple drug delivery platforms, including oral, injectable, inhalation, and topical formulations. Today, Hovione employs 2,500 people worldwide and operates 900 m3 of manufacturing capacity across four sites in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. Japan has played an important role in the company’s global strategy since its early years. Initial export activities were followed in 2017 by the establishment of a Japanese subsidiary in Osaka. Read the full article in Japanese at Yakuji.co.jp Read the article translated in English

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In an interview with Executiva, a portuguese media outlet focused on women´s leadership, Diane Villax, co-founder and long-standing leader of Hovione, reflects on her journey and the company’s development over more than six decades. Diane Villax’s career began at a time when few women worked outside the home. At 19, she joined a trading company as a foreign languages correspondent, where she developed essential business skills — including commercial correspondence, banking and export procedures — that later proved instrumental in helping her husband, Ivan Villax, establish Hovione in 1959. From its earliest days operating in the family home in Lisbon, Hovione adopted an international outlook. The company’s first major customers were in Japan, setting demanding quality standards that helped shape its long-term position in global markets. Over the following decades, Hovione expanded its footprint with the construction of its first manufacturing site in Loures (1969), followed by expansion to Macau (1986), the United States (New Jersey, early 2000s) and Ireland (Cork). The company grew into a global organization with more than 2,500 employees — including over 300 scientists — and a reputation as a preferred supplier to leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Throughout the interview, Diane highlights the values that have guided the company’s development: a commitment to excellence, a strong work ethic, and a focus on quality and long-term relationships. Although she did not have formal business training, she learned “on the job” and brought discipline, precision and structure to her role — particularly in the company’s early financial and administrative leadership. Now in her nineties and an active member of Hovione’s Board of Directors, Diane Villax remains engaged with the company’s evolution and governance, reflecting a continued commitment to its long-term development. Her story reflects entrepreneurial drive, resilience and long-term leadership — and offers insight into the values that have shaped Hovione’s trajectory for more than six decades. Read the full interview at Executiva.pt (in portuguese).

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Márcio Temtem, vice president, Strategic Business Management, Hovione, addresses molecule complexity, speed, and regionalization via integrated manufacturing. The landscape of small molecule manufacturing is rapidly evolving, according to Márcio Temtem, vice president, Strategic Business Development, Hovione, who provides an expert look into how his firm is evolving their approach as the industry changes. With 17 years of experience at Hovione, a family-owned CDMO with a 66-year legacy, Temtem identifies three pivotal trends currently shaping the industry: increased complexity, accelerated development speed, and the regionalization of supply chains. Temtem observes that small molecules have grown significantly in size and complexity, often requiring multiple chemical steps and high-potency handling. This shift necessitates a specialized "toolbox" to overcome modern bioavailability challenges. Highlighting Hovione's technical approach to these hurdles, Temtem states, "We use a platform called amorphous solid dispersions, produced by spray drying to address this challenge of bioavailability.” This platform represents a core area in which Hovione maintains global leadership, utilizing innovative tools to scale processes efficiently while minimizing the use of APIs. Temtem also mentions the increased influence of AI in drug discovery and deployment, which requires CDMOs to bridge the gap from grams to tons at a much faster pace than in previous years. He further addresses the trend of regionalization, noting the rise of countries such as the US and China prioritizing regional supply chain strategies. He explains that Hovione is uniquely positioned to navigate these new challenges with supply chains through its FDA-inspected sites across three continents. Central to Hovione’s competitive advantage is their integrated manufacturing offer, which combines drug substance and drug product expertise at a single location. Temtem emphasizes the value of this model, stating, “The company… has been investing in an integrated offer, bridging the problems of chemists and formulators all at the same shop.” To support this integration, the company continues to pioneer advanced manufacturing avenues, including continuous flow for drug substances and continuous tableting for drug products. Watch the full video interview or read the transcript at PharmTech.com

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