Hovione Expands Technology Platforms with ExtremoChem Acquisition

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Specialist integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Hovione, has acquired ExtremoChem, which is a start-up company with a portfolio of rare sugars, expanding its technology platforms.

According to a Nov. 16, 2023 press release, the acquisition gives Hovione access to ExtremoChem’s portfolio of rare sugars. These high-performance functional materials are synthetic analogues of the natural molecules found in extremophiles–organisms that can survive in uninhabitable environments—and have shown the potential to stabilize biopharmaceuticals during production, purification, formulation, and transportation.

“Proteins and other biopharmaceuticals account for a significant share of our customers’ pipelines,” said Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, CEO, Hovione, in the press release. “The acquisition of ExtremoChem’s synthetic sugars combined with Hovione's particle engineering capabilities provides our customers with a unique set of tools to optimize formulations that address stability issues encountered during the life cycle of biopharmaceuticals.”

“I am delighted that ExtremoChem has been acquired by Hovione,” added Filipe Aguiar, managing director, ExtremoChem, in the press release. “Hovione has a long history of developing and industrializing innovative technologies for the pharma industry. This acquisition will help ensure that the science we developed at ExtremoChem will have a wider and faster market adoption.”

This latest news from Hovione further bolsters the company’s position in seeking to expand its technology platforms, which it reports is needed to meet customer demand for integrated and differentiated development and manufacturing services. The acquisition of ExtremoChem adds to new partnerships forged by Hovione, such as that with H&T Presspart for the advancement of a dry powder inhaler platform and with Ripple to expand the use of the Epidel platform beyond ophthalmic applications.

Source: Hovione