Press Room

News / Jun 23, 2023

2023 International Women Engineering Day

Make Safe Seen

International Women in Engineering Day_Hovione

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

Hear from some of our engineers as they share their career journeys and empower others to break barriers in the healthcare field.

Thank you to Ana Rafael (Principal HSE Specialist) Catarina Coelho (Senior QC Technical Specialist), and Luísa Paulo (Corporate Quality Senior Director I) for making safety seen.

 Read their statements here.

2023 International Women Engineering Day_Ana Rafael | Hovione
 

“I would like to say a word to empower young girls and show them the incredible potential of women in engineering. Engineering is not just about math and science — it's about designing safer, environmentally friendly systems, collaborating, and embracing entrepreneurship. As women in engineering, we are making a profound impact on society.

I proudly graduated in Chemical Engineering from the University of Coimbra, where both boys and girls were determined to leave their mark on the world. I began my career as a researcher, simulating distillation processes. However, my passion for the environment led me to shift my focus towards engineering design for biofuels and environmental treatment plants. It was then that everything fell into place — I knew I wanted to create a better world.

Years later, I seized the opportunity to start my own business, dedicated to enhancing the environmental efficiency and sustainability of various industries across Europe, KSA, and Angola. This journey taught me the importance of sustainable practices and the dedication required to secure our place in the future.

Today, at Hovione, I’m able to balance both of my passions: contributing to life-saving medicines and ensuring that all of us do our jobs in a safely manner. For ourselves and for the communities where we are in. For the past 8 years, I have led and managed teams and projects, guiding Hovione sites towards a better, safer and more sustainable future. I never stop learning and embracing challenges.

I believe in the power of women, driving positive change and breaking barriers. Together, we can create a safer world where women in engineering thrive and shape a brighter future for all."

Ana Rafael - Principal HSE Specialist

Hovione Portugal 

2023 International Women Engineering Day_Catarina Coelho | Hovione
 

"On International Women in Engineering Day, I take this time to reflect on my journey as a woman in the engineering field.

One of the most rewarding experiences in my journey was the opportunity to work as Senior Analytical Chemist at Hovione. In this role, I had the privilege of contributing to the design and implementation of innovative solutions.

On this special day, let us celebrate the remarkable achievements of women engineers worldwide. Together, we are transforming the landscape of engineering, breaking down barriers and forging a path for future generations of aspiring engineers."

Catarina Coelho - Senior QC Technical Specialist

Hovione Portugal

2023 International Women Engineering Day_ Luísa Paulo | Hovione
 

"I have been working as a Chemical Engineer for 40 years and I would like to motivate the young women who love engineering to pursue their dream. At Hovione, I have always felt appreciated and encouraged by my colleagues."

Luísa Paulo - Corporate Quality Senior Director I

Hovione New Jersey

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Hovione’s Expanded U.S. Site in East Windsor, NJ  The first phase of the expansion in East Windsor, NJ, delivers a new 31,000 square foot facility and houses two size-3 spray dryers (PSD-3). This additional capacity allows Hovione to meet increasing customer demand for ASD development and good manufacturing practice (GMP) commercial production. GMP operations are scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2026.  Hovione has also acquired 15 acres of neighboring land, strategically positioning itself for future growth and evolving customer needs for U.S. manufacturing. The newly acquired greenfield site will provide future support for PSD-4–scale commercial production as well as continuous and batch tableting production. It will also be a hub for centralized logistics, enhanced quality control laboratories, and next-generation research and development facilities.  A Global CDMO with a Growing U.S. Footprint  Hovione has operated in New Jersey for more than two decades, establishing itself with a strong U.S. presence for the production of drug substances, intermediates, and finished drug products. A continued emphasis on an integrated service offering, including spray drying, supports delivering innovative medicines to patients more quickly.  The expansion of the East Windsor site addresses the rising demand for U.S. manufacturing and is an integral part of the company's ongoing global growth strategy, with facilities in Portugal, Ireland, and Macau. The company continues to bolster a cohesive network for drug development and commercial manufacturing unified by a corporate quality system and governance framework.  The integrated offering enhances development speed and eases technology transfers by unifying the team's technical skills, proprietary technologies, and digital platforms to efficiently produce drug substance to drug products at a single-site, through Hovione’s “one site, one partner” vision. Furthermore, Hovione’s strategic partnership model offers customers exclusive access to advanced technologies and resources while aiding in the optimization of their development programs and ensuring sustained value creation.  End-to-End Spray Drying and Particle Engineering: From Grams to Tons Hovione is a global leader in spray drying and particle engineering. Services include solubility enhancement and controlled-modified release via development and production of ASDs of both small and large molecules, supporting various modalities. ASD-HIPROS, Hovione’s proprietary spray drying screening platform, identifies optimal formulations that offer optimal performance and stability. By increasing production volume in the US, Hovione will meet customer demand for spray drying services:  Development services in the laboratory (1 g – 1 kg batches)  Pilot scale production (0.5 – 25 kg batches)  Small-scale production (5 – 200 kg batches)  Large-scale commercial manufacturing (50 – 400 kg batches) A Commitment to Sustainability  Hovione’s core values include a commitment to sustainability at all facilities. This commitment is reflected in a business strategy that focuses on improving the communities where the company operates. Hovione’s sustainability policy and strategy align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and include adherence to science-based targets in line with the Paris Agreement to address climate change. Meeting these goals has required a dedication to process intensification and ensuring sustainability of manufacturing processes. This has been possible through strategic planning and commitments from senior management to ensure sustainability is addressed throughout the drug development life cycle.  Partner with a Technology-Leading CDMO for U.S. Manufacturing   As demand for poorly water-soluble drug formulations continues to rise in the U.S., expanding spray drying throughput is essential to meet the need for innovative therapeutics. With proven leadership in spray drying to manufacture ASDs, Hovione is able to support pharmaceutical companies by solving their solubility challenges efficiently and reliably.  Partnering with a CDMO that combines global leadership, advanced technologies, and the necessary manufacturing capacity in the U.S., drug developers can expedite time to market, ensure quality, and deliver innovative medicines to patients faster.  If your company is seeking access to the latest spray-drying capabilities, expanded U.S. manufacturing capacity, and an accelerated path to regulatory filing and commercialization, contact our team today.     

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