Loures, Portugal, 7 June 2013 – Hovione today announced the appointment of Dr. Justin Hughey to lead the Particle Design sciences at our site in New Jersey. With over 30 publications, posters and book chapters Dr. Hughey is an acknowledged expert in the field of solubilization including the creation of amorphous solid dispersions with emphasis on Hot Melt Extrusion. Dr. Hughey most recently served as the Director of Research for Austin-based Enavail. 

To complement its spray drying capabilities and other technologies to improve bioavailability, Hovione is investing in both lab and mid-scale Hot Melt Extruders to enable the efficient development of particles with improved solubility with seamless scale up and transfer to clinical manufacture. 

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Hughey. With his experience and deep scientific knowledge in developing traditional and non-traditional dosage forms with a strong emphasis on Hot Melt Extrusion and other novel processing techniques, I believe he will help speedily solve bioavailability challenges brought to us by our customers”, said Dr. Colin Minchom, Vice President Particle Design.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead the scientific efforts of the Particle Design team at Hovione New Jersey. I have always admired Hovione’s capabilities in the area of spray drying and was pleased to hear that they were adding Hot Melt Extrusion to their portfolio. I am looking forward to making significant contributions to this area and offering customers a range of solubility enhancement options, thus improving the probability of success for their molecule” said Dr. Hughey.

Dr. Hughey earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from The University of Texas at Austin under the supervision of James W. McGinity and also holds B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. His pharmaceutical development experience extends to particle engineering technologies for pulmonary delivery as well as controlled and immediate release solid oral dosage forms. 

About Hovione

Hovione is a global company with over 50 years’ experience in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug Product Intermediate development and compliant manufacture. With four FDA inspected sites in the U.S., China, Ireland, and Portugal, the company focuses on the most demanding customers in the most regulated markets. Hovione offers integrated API, particle design, formulation development and GMP manufacturing. In the inhalation area, Hovione is the only independent company offering such a broad range of services.

For more information about Hovione, please visit www.hovione.com or contact Marketing & Communication, Isabel Pina, + 351 21 982 9362, e-mail:ipina@hovione.com . Follow Hovione on Twitter @HovioneGroup and LinkedIn.