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News / Mar 08, 2021

2021 International Women's Day - Read statements

Choose To Challenge

2021 International Women's Day | Hovione

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge to celebrate the achievements of women around the world.

Today Hovione women also #ChooseToChallenge. From Portugal to the USA, Ireland, Macau and India, we celebrate our team’s achievements.

Thank you to Beatriz Noriega Fernandes, Camie Lou, Kristen Parisi, Linda Cullinane, Louise Dennehy, Madhu Gautam, Mafalda Paiva, Marianna Katz, Marilena Ornelas, Mary Hennessy, Sarah Downing, Sarah Scott, Sónia Cardoso and Tânia Dias for raising their hands high. 

From challenge comes change. Read their statements here.

 

O tema deste ano do Dia Internacional da Mulher é #ChooseToChallenge - Escolher Desafiar - para celebrar as

conquistas das mulheres em todo o mundo.

As mulheres Hovione também aderiram à campanha #ChooseToChallenge. De Portugal aos EUA, Irlanda, Macau e Índia, celebramos as conquistas da nossa equipa.

 

Obrigada Beatriz Noriega Fernandes, Camie Lou, Kristen Parisi, Linda Cullinane, Louise Dennehy,

Madhu Gautam, Mafalda Paiva, Marianna Katz, Marilena Ornelas, Mary Hennessy, Sarah Downing,

Sarah Scott, Sónia Cardoso e Tânia Dias por levantarem as vossas mãos.

Do desafio vem a mudança. Leia os seus testemunhos aqui.

2021 International Women's Day_ Kristen Parisi | Hovione

 

 

My name is Kristen and I’m a HR Business Partner at Hovione USA.

My journey at Hovione has been one of my proudest professional achievements.

I started June of 2017 in the capacity of a split role, supporting HR initiatives while maintaining office management.

I have since been promoted twice and currently hold the role of HR Business Partner.

Hovione provides the necessary tools and opportunities for TM’s to have a fulfilling and challenging career.

O meu nome é Kristen e sou HR Business Partner na Hovione EUA.

O meu trajeto na Hovione é uma das conquistas profissionais de que mais me orgulho.

Comecei em junho de 2017 a apoiar iniciativas de RH enquanto mantinha a gestão do escritório.

Desde então, fui promovida duas vezes e atualmente exerço a função de HR Business Partner.

A Hovione fornece as ferramentas e oportunidades necessárias para que as Colaboradoras tenham uma carreira gratificante e desafiadora.

Kristen Parisi - HR Business Partner

Hovione USA

2021 International Women's Day Madhu Gautam | Hovione

 

 

My name is Madhu and I’m a Director at Hovione India office.

I believe in a world where everyone – regardless of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity - is provided with equal opportunities and I share this belief with Hovione.

To all my colleagues around the world I raise my hand: by working at Hovione we have committed ourselves to save lives and improve the quality of life of millions of patients.

There is no limit to what we can do together. Be proud. Be happy!

O meu nome é Madhu e sou diretora do escritório da Hovione Índia.

Acredito num mundo onde todos - independentemente da sua idade, sexo, religião, incapacidade, orientação sexual ou etnia - tenham oportunidades iguais e partilho esta convicção com a Hovione.

A todas as minhas colegas em todo o mundo, levanto a minha mão: ao trabalhar na Hovione, comprometemo-nos a salvar vidas e a melhorar a qualidade de vida de milhões de pacientes.

Não há limite para o que podemos fazer em conjunto. Tenham orgulho. Sejam felizes!

Madhu Gautam - Director of Hovione India

Hovione India

2021 International Women's Day | Hovione

 

 

My name is Camie Lou and I’m the Administrative Manager at Hovione Macau.

I am proud to be part of a workplace where everyone is welcomed and so many women have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

I am challenged every day to perform my best and to all my colleagues around the world, I raise my hand: celebrate daily your personal and professional achievements.

Let’s celebrate this day together!

O meu nome é Camie e sou Administrative Manager na Hovione Macau.

Tenho orgulho de fazer parte de uma empresa onde todos são bem-vindos e onde muitas mulheres têm a oportunidade de atingir todo o seu potencial.

Sou desafiada todos os dias a dar o meu melhor e para todas as minhas colegas em qualquer parte do mundo levanto a mão: comemorem diariamente as vossas conquistas pessoais e profissionais.

Vamos comemorar este dia juntas!

Camie Lou - Administrative Manager

Hovione Macau

2021 International Women's Day Ireland Team| Hovione

 

 

At Hovione Eireann, we are very proud of our diverse and inclusive culture and love to find ways to celebrate it.

One aspect of our diversity is our gender balance across our teams and at all levels of the organization and therefore we have again decided to plan an event to celebrate the annual ‘International Women's Day’ on Monday March 8th.

We will host a virtual art class, during which we will design a card to send to a woman who inspires us.

In keeping with this year’s theme, #choosetochallenge, we are challenging ourselves to try something new and creative, keeping in mind the importance of ensuring everyone on our teams has a voice.

This year our event is in aid of Cuanlee, a women's refuge in Cork city which has seen a big increase in calls for help this year due to the lockdowns over the past 12 months.

We hope our contribution towards them helps in some way with the challenges they face every day.

Na Hovione Irlanda, temos muito orgulho da nossa cultura diversificada e inclusiva e adoramos encontrar formas de a celebrar.

Um aspeto da nossa diversidade é o equilíbrio de género nas nossas equipas e em todos os níveis da organização e, por isso, decidimos novamente planear um evento para celebrar o ‘Dia Internacional da Mulher’ na segunda-feira, 8 de março.

Faremos uma aula de arte virtual, durante a qual desenharemos um cartão para enviar a uma mulher que nos inspire.

De acordo com o tema deste ano, #choosetochallenge, estamos a desafiar-nos para tentar algo novo e criativo, tendo em mente a importância de garantir que todos nas nossas equipas têm uma voz.

Este ano, o nosso evento irá apoiar a Cuanlee, um refúgio feminino na cidade de Cork, que teve um grande aumento no número de pedidos de ajuda devido aos confinamentos dos últimos 12 meses.

Esperamos que a nossa contribuição as possa ajudar a enfrentar os desafios de todos os dias.

Mary Hennessy - Director of Human Resources Ireland

Louise Dennehy - HR Business Partner, Linda Cullinane - Supply Chain Director, Sarah Downing - QA Director,

Sarah Scott - Product Quality Manager

Hovione Ireland

2021 International Women's Day | Hovione

 

 

My name is Tânia and I’m an Events Coordinator at Hovione Portugal.

In my professional career, I have always achieved my goals, always keeping an attitude based of humility, integrity, and an open mind!

Joining Hovione was one of those goals, and it has brought me new experiences, both professionally and personally.

O meu nome é Tânia e sou Events Coordinator na Hovione Portugal.

No meu percurso profissional, tenho lutado sempre para concretizar as metas a que me proponho, seguindo sempre a minha visão pessoal de humildade, integridade e otimismo!

A entrada na Hovione foi uma dessas metas, que me tem trazido novas experiências quer a nível profissional como pessoal.

Tânia Dias - Events Coordinator

Hovione Portugal

2021 International Women's Day | Hovione

 

 

My name is Mafalda and I am a proud scientist at Hovione R&D Portugal.

My journey here began six years ago, as an analytical chemist, and evolved to management positions, all within R&D.

I am passionate about science, business and people!

I truly believe that we can all achieve our goals and pursue our passions, if we truly work for it, independent of gender, race, sexual orientation or religion.

The sky is, indeed, the limit!

O meu nome é Mafalda e sou uma orgulhosa cientista na Hovione Portugal.

A minha viagem começou aqui há seis anos, como analytical chemist, e evoluiu para cargos de gestão, tudo dentro da área de R&D.

Sou apaixonada pela ciência, negócios e pessoas!

Acredito verdadeiramente que todos podemos alcançar os nossos objetivos e seguir as nossas paixões, se realmente trabalharmos para isso, independentemente do género, raça, orientação sexual ou religião.

O céu é, de facto, o limite!

Mafalda Paiva - Group Leader, R&D Analytical Development

Hovione Portugal

2021 International Women's Day | Hovione

 

 

My name is Marilena and I’m an Operational Excellence Engineer at Hovione Portugal.

I always thought that to practice cross fit you had to be very strong and a bit crazy.

Guess what, I am one of the crazy ones, and all I needed was to step out of my comfort zone, to practice a lot and never give up.

O meu nome é Marilena e sou Operational Excellence Engineer na Hovione Portugal.

Sempre achei que para praticar cross fit era necessário ser uma pessoa muito forte e louca.

Adivinhem, eu sou uma das loucas, e tudo o que eu precisava era sair da minha zona de conforto, praticar muito e nunca desistir.

Marilena Ornelas - Operational Excellence Engineer

Hovione Portugal

2021 International Women's Day | Hovione

 

 

My name is Beatriz and I’m a scientist at Hovione Portugal.

From a small town to the capital, from engineering to pharmaceutical development, I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing my everyday small tasks help to save lives.

I was lucky to be born in a place where I had all the opportunities available for me, however this is still not the case for so many women all around the world.

I will continue to speak up for them. 

O meu nome é Beatriz e sou cientista na Hovione Portugal.

De uma pequena cidade à capital, da engenharia ao desenvolvimento farmacêutico, sinto-me realizada por saber que as minhas pequenas tarefas diárias ajudam a salvar vidas.

Tive a sorte de nascer com todas as oportunidades à minha espera, mas esse ainda não é o caso de muitas mulheres em todo o mundo.

Por elas, continuarei a falar.

Beatriz Noriega Fernandes - Scientist, R&D DPD Inhalation

Hovione Portugal

2021 International Women's Day | Hovione

 

 

My name is Sónia and I work at RDP Analytical Sciences at Hovione Portugal.

I feel glad to be able to enjoy a fulfilled life by combining the things that I love most: family, science and helping others.

O meu nome é Sónia e trabalho na área de RDP Analytical Sciences na Hovione Portugal.

Estou feliz por ter uma vida plena ao combinar as coisas que mais amo: família, ciência e ajudar os outros.

Sónia Cardoso - RDP Analytical Sciences

Hovione Portugal

International Women Day Scientists testimonial | Hovione

 

 

My name is Marianna and I'm a Scientist at Hovione Portugal.

Study hard. Play the cello. Move abroad. Run a half marathon.

Explore different cultures. Work hard. Do a headstand. Innovate. Have fun.

Change lives. Love. Choose to challenge. The sky is the limit.

Women are versatile, support and acknowledge them!

O meu nome é Marianna e sou cientista na Hovione Portugal.

Estuda muito. Toca violoncelo. Muda de país. Corre uma meia maratona.

Explora diferentes culturas. Trabalha no duro. Pratica headstand. Inova. Diverte-te.

Muda vidas. Ama. Escolhe desafiar. O céu é o limite.

As mulheres são versáteis, vamos apoiá-las e reconhecê-las!

Marianna Katz - Scientist – R&D Products

Hovione Portugal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A mechanical engineering graduate, this Frenchman is the CEO of the Portuguese pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Hovione. Still owned by the founding family, the company was awarded the 2025 ‘Léonardo de Vinci’ Prize, which recognizes the innovative and successful succession planning of family businesses. With an international career behind him, Jean-Luc Herbeaux is almost more fluent in English than in his native language. At 58, this Frenchman with iceberg-blue eyes is the CEO of Hovione. Founded in the late 1950s, this Portuguese group, with 100% family ownership, has just received the ‘Léonardo de Vinci’ Prize, which highlights entrepreneurial successes tinged with family legacy. While this mid-sized company with a turnover of €500 million maintains a low profile, its pharmaceutical contract manufacturing business is just as obscure to the general public. "Yet, the market for contract manufacturers, or 'contract development manufacturing organizations,' is worth $200 billion", emphasizes the CEO, who has been working in this microcosm for two decades. 500 patents Aware of the stakes, he does not deny "the pharma industry's dependence on Indian and Chinese capabilities". "The fact remains that the trend is toward the regionalization of supply chains, with European manufacturers producing for the Old Continent, American manufacturers for their own market, and so on", he says. And to highlight the foresight of Diane and Ivan Villax, the founding couple, "who thought globally from the very beginning". As a result, the group, with its 500 patents, has factories in China, the United States, and Ireland, without neglecting its home territory. This is evident by the site currently under construction on the banks of the Tagus River, following a €200 million investment. "The heavy engineering and compliance aspects are being finalized, "he explains, emphasizing that this highly regulated sector "is under a microscope". He knows this all too well, as Hovione claims to be involved in 5 to 10% of the drugs approved each year by the FDA, the American drug regulatory agency. Professor from Houston to Japan “In this small world, having a good image is important: this is the case with Jean-Luc, passionate about his work, but who knows how to demystify things”, observes Elie Vannier, former chairman of the board of Hovione. He adds that having an international profile is a strength “in this ecosystem where talent and clients are international”. For his part, Jean-Luc retains from his numerous flights “a taste for films of all genres and from all countries”. The son of an administrative employee in secondary schools and an auto insurance expert, the youngest of three children moved around according to his parents' job transfers. He was born in Meaux, grew up in Chartres, and attended the University of Technology of Compiègne, “which already offered programs abroad”. Thus, he left a mechanical engineering internship at a Dior perfume factory to join the University of Houston in Texas, "carrying a 20 kg backpack". Despite his then-limited command of English, he earned a doctorate, became a professor, and met an American woman who would become his wife and the mother of their two children. Next came the University of Kanazawa in Japan. Alas! Disappointed by the academic world, "where you have to fight to get resources", he succumbed to the allure of industry and joined the American chemical company Rohm and Haas, which had fallen under the control of the German company Evonik. 80 million patients He spent twenty years there, in Germany and Singapore, before "accepting the offers from headhunters". He then accepted Hovione's offer, who appointed him Chief Operating Officer in 2020, then CEO two years later, making him the first CEO not from the founding family. The family remains the sole shareholder, which earned the company the ‘Léonardo de Vinci’ Prize, created by the Association Les Hénokiens and the Clos Lucé. Having settled near Lisbon, he substituted walking for combat sports, "having been burned by the injuries of some friends". He also mentioned that Hovione, whose clients include 19 of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies, helps treat more than 80 million patients.   (Translated version)   Read the original and full article in French on LesEchos.fr  

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Dec 02, 2025

The CDMO’s New Jersey manufacturing site expansion will eventually cover more than 200,000 square feet. Portugal-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Hovione has completed an initial $100 million investment round in its East Windsor, New Jersey site. Once completed it will increase the facility’s footprint to more than 200,000 square feet and more than double its capacity for spray drying. Hovione CEO Jean-Luc Herbeaux said: “Since launching our New Jersey operations in 2002, Hovione has been one of the longest established European CDMOs in the United States. “This investment reinforces Hovione’s leadership in spray drying – a core technology platform where we have built extensive know-how and capabilities. By continuing to advance our platforms and expand capacity in the US, we are strengthening the foundation that enables our partners to bring complex medicines to patients more efficiently.” Spray drying is an increasingly important particle engineering technology for improving drug bioavailability through the amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) that can address bioavailability or crystallisation challenges. The initial phase of Hovione’s expansion will include a 31,000-square-foot building to house two size-3 spray dryers (PSD-3) designed for ASD production. Construction at the New Jersey site is already underway and the company plans to start GMP operations in the second quarter of 2026. The initiative is part of Hovione’s long-term strategy to grow its US operations and enhance its integrated drug substance, drug product intermediate and drug product capabilities. Herbeaux said: “This investment addresses growing customer demand for US-based capacity and integrated solutions that shorten development timelines and reduce tech transfer complexity. By consolidating development, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing within a single quality and governance framework, we provide customers with seamless execution from drug substance to drug product.” The company’s New Jersey expansion fits into its wider international growth plan that also includes capacity investments in Ireland and Portugal as it seeks to create a network of autonomous sites spanning the development and commercialisation of APIs, drug product intermediates and drug products.   Read the full article at EuropeanPharmaceuticalReview.com  

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