Press Room

Event

52nd Organic Process Research and Development (OPR&D)

Start

Monday, September 23, 2024

End

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Location: Prague, Czech Republic

Hoviong is present at the OPR&D Conference in Prague. Contact us today and schedule a meeting | Hovione

Visit Hovione at OPR&D, the Leading Process Chemistry Conference from September 23-25 in Prague, Czech Republic.

We are proud to be the Gold Sponsor of the conference, the place to be to learn about the latest scientific updates in the industry and to network with chemical experts from around the globe.

Join the conference's sessions led by our experts

"Women in Process Chemistry"

Chair: Susana Lucas, Ph.D., Sr. Manager, R&D Process Chemistry Development

September 23 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

We are honored to chair and sponsor the Women in Process Chemistry Session at the 52nd OPR&D Conference in Prague. Our expert Susana Lucas will be leading the conversation on innovative approaches to enhance process development efficiency alongside key opinion leaders in the field, including Samantha Staniland from AstraZeneca, Stephanie Kosnik from Boehringer Ingelheim, Dide Verhoeven from Symeres, and Gabriele Menges-Flanagan from Fraunhofer IMM.

Gain valuable insights into sustainable high-throughput experimentation (HTE) techniques in early-stage discovery and learn about cutting-edge crystallization methodologies to overcome isolation challenges. Additionally, learn about the synthesis and process development of an antiviral drug through a multi-kg case study, and delve into the world of organometallics in flow chemistry.

In line with our commitments around diversity, equity and inclusion, we are proud to be part of this initiative that encourages collaboration and innovation in process chemistry.

"Micellar Catalysis: Enabling Sustainable Chemistry in Water"

João Sardinha, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, R&D Process Chemistry Development

September 24 from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM

Description: Micellar chemistry, often referred to as micellar catalysis, presents a greener alternative to traditional organic solvents. Although water can occasionally replace solvents effectively, its compatibility with organic reagents is not always ideal. Nevertheless, recent developments have led to the introduction of innovative additives, such as aqueous micelles that function as "nanoreactors". These nanospheres, formed by surfactant molecules create a unique environment that enables chemical transformations in aqueous media. This advancement represents a significant step forward in sustainable chemistry, reducing reliance on harmful solvents and promoting environmentally friendly practices in chemical synthesis.
At Hovione, we have been exploring the application of micellar chemistry in various types of reactions, namely amide bond formation, SNAr, Suzuki couplings, nitro reductions, Buchwald-Hartwig amination among others. Several examples and comparison with traditional organic solvent methods will be presented. Additionally, a comparative study of an alkylation reaction in the synthesis of a Hovione API will be showcased, highlighting the superior efficiency, safety, and environmental benefits of micellar chemistry over the existing organic solvent process. The micellar process was successfully developed and optimized by means of Design of Experiments (DoE) ensuring robust and effective conditions. Following successful scale-up, we are about to implement this process at the pilot plant scale.

Schedule your meeting today and find out how we can support your project.

Find more about OPR&D Conference

You might be interested in:

Drug Substance at Hovione

Your partner in custom development and manufacturing of APIs.

Schedule a meeting with our experts to learn more about our custom development and manufacturing of APIs. With worldwide locations, an exemplary regulatory track record and a ‘can do’ approach, our experienced development and manufacturing teams will provide the competence, capacity, safety and quality you expect to manufacture your product on time, on budget and to the very highest standards.

Curious about how combining human expertise with advanced computational models can enhance green chemistry principles in sustainable process chemistry?

Read our article, ‘Benchmarking Strategies of Sustainable Process Chemistry Development: Human-Based, Machine Learning, and Quantum Mechanics’ published in OPR&D Journal here.

Also in the Press Room

See All

Why you shouldn’t neglect the importance of blending people, culture, and strategy to foster success in a business. People, customer centricity, and a clear strategy bring strong values to the forefront of every business. Fostering a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction enables team members to bring their best selves to work each day, driving innovation and excellence. Earlier this year, CDMO Hovione demonstrated success by being certified as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute (TEI) across all four of its global manufacturing sites in Portugal, Ireland, the US, and Macau, for the third consecutive year. We spoke to board member and Senior Vice-President of Human Resources at Hovione Ilda Ventura to find out how. What specific strategies and initiatives have you implemented to maintain the company’s Top Employer status? We started the latest TEI Certification in 2023. Since then, we have been focusing on areas that can differentiate us as employers. In the US, for example, we have invested in bringing more proximity to the HR team, improving our listening strategy and the employee experience. The initiatives span from establishing better alignment between the business strategy and the people strategy, living our values and celebrating our successes. We are accelerating our global growth while strengthening our operations worldwide. It is essential for us to ensure that all our employees, regardless of their location, enjoy a consistent and unified work experience. Having all four of our sites recognized by TEI confirms that we are on the right path. What changes have been made to Hovione's recognition and rewards programs to motivate employees? By implementing a global job architecture with clear career roadmaps supported by a performance and compensation annual cycle. Everyone is eligible to merit remuneration increases and bonuses, and the corporate results are shared with everyone in a transparent way. This allows us to create a culture of recognition, where individual contributions are valued and aligned with the company's overall success. It fosters motivation and engagement, ensuring employees feel appreciated for their efforts and understand how their work directly aligns with our purpose. This culture not only enhances employee satisfaction, but strengthens our ability to attract and retain top talent. How important is it to monitor consistent employee engagement and satisfaction across global locations? Our employee engagement survey results are carefully reviewed and discussed both locally and globally, ensuring we address the unique needs of each region while driving company-wide progress. We prioritize actionable improvements that resonate with our teams, engaging cross-functional and geographically diverse groups to implement meaningful change. Across our sites, we’ve made significant investments tailored to each region while maintaining a unified approach to employee satisfaction. In the US, where employees value transparency, recognition, and growth opportunities, we’ve enhanced communication, feedback channels, and career development pathways. Similarly, in Portugal, Ireland, and Macau, we’ve introduced initiatives to promote collaboration, recognition, and personal growth, ensuring all employees experience a sense of belonging and purpose. The actions we take are closely monitored, and every improvement is shared openly across all locations, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and celebration that connects and empowers our workforce. How are you working to attract and retain top talent in the competitive pharma industry? We continuously strive to strengthen our reputation as an employer of choice. Participating in TEI allows us to have an independent assessment of our HR efforts and initiatives, ensuring that we are continuously improving and aligning with best practices. In addition, we have robust referral programs in place, supported by the fact that over 70 percent of our employees are strong promoters of the company. This is a testament to the positive culture we’ve built, and we are focused on leveraging this strength to attract and retain top talent. In what ways does the company communicate and reinforce its core purpose and values among employees? Our motto is “In it for life” – so, for example, every year we celebrate in each site our “Victory Over Diseases” by communicating the new products that we are manufacturing, as well as the new patents and innovative ideas that contribute to fighting diseases and improving global health. Contributing to saving the lives of billions of people worldwide is a way to motivate our people to challenge themselves and push the limits of innovation. By celebrating our achievements and their impact, we inspire our teams to think creatively, embrace new challenges, and contribute to solutions that make a real difference in the world. It´s an invitation to live our purpose. Macau was the first site in the region to earn Top Employer certification last year and has renewed it this year. What unique challenges and successes have been experienced in achieving and maintaining this status in Macau? Macau is unique. It’s the only site in this industry in the territory, so we have taken advantage of that to differentiate ourselves as an employer by collaborating with universities and local authorities to offer career opportunities and benefits that are a reference in the region. What areas have you identified for continuous improvement in workplace practices and employee satisfaction in the future? We will continue to strengthen our employee value proposition by mapping the employee journey and addressing every touchpoint to enhance the overall experience. Both people and business needs are constantly changing. It requires continuous adaptation of processes to meet evolving expectations. If I had to highlight one key focus, it would be alumni engagement. The Hovione community is extensive and goes beyond our current team members. We see a clear opportunity to create an alumni program to stay connected with those who have been part of our journey. Read the full article on themedicinemaker.com

Press Clipping

The Medicine Maker, 13 February 2026

The Secret to Being a Good Employer

Feb 13, 2025

Three is the magic number for Hovione as it’s once again been certified as a top employer. For the third consecutive year, all four of its manufacturing sites - Lisbon, Cork, East Windsor in USA, and Macau - have been certified as Top Employers by the Top Employers Institute. Hovione is an international integrated pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organisation. This certification follows, Hovione said, a rigorous audit process. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer, Hovione, explained: “This recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the entire Hovione team. Hovione is a development and manufacturing service company operating in one of the most demanding and regulated industries. We understand that our success is deeply rooted in our people. “Together, as One Hovione, we are committed to continuously refining our practices to foster a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction, so that, every day, our team members bring their best selves to work, driving innovation and excellence at every step,” Jean-Luc added. Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Member of the Management Board, Hovione, said: “This distinction underscores our unwavering commitment to our people. At Hovione, we design our HR systems and processes to ensure that every team member enjoys a consistent and fulfilling experience, regardless of their role, function, or location.” Imelda Cummins, HR Director for Hovione Ireland, said: “This distinguished accreditation is a testament to our commitment to establish frameworks to attract, engage and retain top talent. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and this recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team who strive every day to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Receiving the Top Employer accreditation is motivation for us to keep pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an exceptional employer.” Hovione recently celebrated the opening of a multi-million euro expansion at its site in Ringaskiddy, which almost doubled the capacity of its spray drying facilities. Read the full article on CorkIndependent.com

Press Clipping

Cork Independent, 22 January 2025

Hovione gets top employer accolade

Jan 22, 2025

Hovione has once again solidified its position as a top employer in all four of its manufacturing sites - Lisbon (Portugal), Cork (Ireland), East Windsor (NJ, USA), and Macau. The program highlights the company’s significant advancements in several critical areas, including Purpose & Values, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Employer Branding, and Recognition & Rewards, driven by sustained investment in people. This certification from the Top Employers Institute follows a rigorous audit process and underscores Hovione’s consistency in investing in people and world-class workplace practices, as well as the unwavering commitment of its more than 2,300 employees to the company's core purpose and values. “This recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the entire Hovione team,” said Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer. “Hovione is a development and manufacturing service company operating in one of the most demanding and regulated industries. We understand that our success is deeply rooted in our people. Together, as One Hovione, we are committed to continuously refining our people practices to foster a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction, so that, every day, our team members bring their best selves to work, driving innovation and excellence at every step.” Macau, which became the first company in the region to achieve Top Employer certification last year, has successfully renewed the status, solidifying Hovione’s global leadership in workplace excellence. With its consistent Top Employer recognition, Hovione demonstrates that the talent strategy is perfectly aligned with the business strategy. Watch Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Member of the Management Board of Hovione, video about what this certification means for Hovione. For additional information, please read the press release.

News

The certification is granted to Hovione's four manufacturing sites for the third consecutive year.