Loures, Portugal, June 15, 2016 – Hovione announced today that it held on June 8th the official groundbreaking for the expansion of its New Jersey facility in East Windsor, USA.

The expansion will add an additional 30,600 ft² (2,843 m²) to the existing 24,000ft² (2,211m²) facility. It will introduce a new commercial spray dryer unit to complement the existing pilot unit and this installation will be specifically designed to handle potent drug substances (APIs). In addition the Hovione New Jersey facility will more than double its capacity to manufacture drug substance. The expansion is expected to add approximately 60 new jobs to the current workforce over the next three years.

“The start of the construction activities to expand our site in East Windsor is a very exciting moment for us and for our customers. This is an important step to strengthen our continued commitment to the pharmaceutical industry and to the patients by offering innovative technologies and services. The site will be unique in offering at a single location drug substance, spray drying, hot melt extrusion and drug product manufacturing services using innovative continuous manufacturing technology. The state and especially the local government have been extremely supportive and we are happy to strengthen our presence in East Windsor by creating highly qualified jobs in the local community” said Dr. Marco Gil, General Manager, Hovione New Jersey.

“This investment is part of the company’s strategy to increase its global development and commercial capacity which will meet the increasing demands of Hovione’s customers in the API and Spray drying services. It will also include the addition of a continuous drug product manufacturing capability to its offering through the partnership with Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced earlier this year” said Kristine Senft, Vice President Marketing and Sales. 

The start-up of the operation is expected to take place in April 2017 for the drug substance and spray drying services while the continuous drug product manufacturing is planned for the end of 2017.

About Hovione

Hovione is an international company with over 50 years’ experience in the development and compliant manufacture of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Drug Product Intermediates. With four FDA inspected sites in the USA, China, Ireland, and Portugal, and development laboratories in Lisbon and New Jersey the company focuses on the most demanding customers in the most regulated markets. The company also offers branded pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative new drugs, and is able to support highly potent compounds. In the inhalation area Hovione is the only independent company offering a complete range of services.