Loures, Portugal, October 9th, 2008 - Hovione announced today the signature of a protocol with The Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) regarding the Ivan Villax traineeship program. This ceremony will take place next October 10th, in Budapest.

Following the suggestion of the Portuguese – Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, and in order to pay tribute to the University where Hovione’s founder trained and graduated, the Company decided to institute a bursary program for two annual traineeships to enhance and develop the bonds between Portugal and Hungary. We will never forget that Ivan Villax believed in merit and competition therefore these traineeships will be awarded along the same set of criteria, said Mrs. Diane Villax, president of Hovione’s Board of Directors.

This traineeship program aims to create the conditions for an MSc organic chemistry student to work for a period of 4 to 6 months in an industrial R&D environment and to be part of a project team responsible for the development of a synthetic process for the preparation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The traineeship will include exposure to the preparation of the active ingredient under Good Manufacturing Practices for use in clinical trials or to its related analytical chemistry requirements. This will allow BME students to take part of a learning experience that will contribute to their knowledge and skills and will also help to create an important link between the two institutions.

About Hovione
Hovione is an international group specializing in the development and compliant manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients, serving exclusively the pharmaceutical industry. With a 50-year track record, Hovione offers advanced technologies as well as APIs for all drug delivery systems, from oral to injectable and from inhalation to topical applications. With FDA inspected plants in Europe, the Far East and the US, Hovione is committed to the highest levels of service and quality. Specializing in complex chemistry and in particle engineering, Hovione offers all services related to the development, manufacture and pre-formulation of both new chemical entities (NCEs) and existing APIs for off-patent products.