Hovione, the specialist integrated CDMO and the leader in spray drying and particle engineering, has acquired ExtremoChem, an innovative start-up company focused on the synthesis, development and commercialisation of bio-inspired synthetic sugars, targeting enhanced stabilisation, reduced viscosity and delivery performance of proteins and other biopharmaceuticals.
ExtremoChem developed a library of proprietary sugars, synthetic analogues of natural molecules found in extremophiles — organisms capable of withstanding the most uninhabitable environments.
These sugars have shown potential in overcoming challenges associated with the stabilisation of biopharmaceuticals during production, purification, formulation and transportation.
Dr Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione’s CEO, commented: "Proteins and other biopharmaceuticals account for a significant share of our customers' pipelines. The acquisition of ExtremoChem’s synthetic sugars combined with Hovione's particle engineering capabilities provides our customers with a unique set of tools to optimise formulations that address stability issues encountered during the life ycle of biopharmaceuticals.”
Filipe Aguiar, ExtremoChem’s Managing Director, commented: “I am delighted that ExtremoChem has been acquired by Hovione."
"Hovione has a long history of developing and industrializing innovative technologies for the pharma industry."
"This acquisition will help to ensure that the science we developed at ExtremoChem will have a wider and faster market adoption.”
The announcement of this acquisition demonstrates Hovione's commitment to expand its technology platforms.
The company is investing both in new assets and innovative technologies to meet customer demand for integrated and differentiated development and manufacturing services in drug substance, particle engineering and drug product.