Evonik establishes new Health Care Business Line
- Consistent alignment of pharmaceutical business with target markets
- Dr. Hans-Josef Ritzert appointed Regional President Greater China
- Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux as head of Health Care Business Line
Essen, Germany-based Evonik Industries AG will combine its business in custom manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (exclusive synthesis), pharmaceutical amino acids (Rexim®) and pharmaceutical polymers in the new Health Care Business Line effective September 1, 2011. The newly formed business line will be part of the Health & Nutrition Business Unit, headed by Dr. Reiner Beste.
"The merger strengthens our distribution, research, technical service, and production network. This means that our products and services will be equally represented in key pharmaceutical markets in Europe, America, and Asia and that we can respond more comprehensively to customer requirements", Beste explains. Success factors for specialty chemical companies in the pharmaceutical market include global market access, a broad innovation platform, and production in accordance with the cGMP pharmaceutical standard (current Good Manufacturing Practices). "By concentrating our pharmaceutical activities in the Health Care Business Line, we enhance our performance in all three areas," notes Beste. "This creates the framework for further strategic developments and the targeted advancement of partnerships with key customers."
Dr. Hans-Josef Ritzert, who has headed the Exclusive Synthesis & Pharma Amino Acids Business Line since 2009 and was previously head of the Catalysts Business Line, takes up the position Regional President Greater China of Evonik Industries as of September 1, 2011. In his new function, Ritzert will be responsible for the Evonik business in the strategically important Greater China Region. Evonik has about 3500 employees in the Region and a turnover exceeding €1.0 billion in 2010. Ritzert, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, takes over the position from Dr. Dahai Yu, who was appointed to the Executive Board of Evonik Industries in April 2011.
Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux will head the newly formed Health Care Business Line. Herbeaux, who has been heading the Pharma Polymers Business Line of Evonik since the beginning of 2009, joined Evonik Industries (then Degussa) in 2000. A native of France, Herbeaux studied in France and the USA and spent 8 years of his life in Asia, teaching and doing business.
Health Care Business Line to consist of three product lines
The Health Care Business Line will be divided into three product lines: Pharma Polymers with the brands EUDRAGIT® and RESOMER® under the management of Dr. Thomas Riermeier, Exclusive Synthesis under the management of Dr. Klaus Stingl, and Rexim® under the management of Dr. Thomas Hermann.
The Pharma Polymers Product Line is a leading developer and manufacturer of functional pharmaceutical excipients for oral and depot formulations and a provider of solutions to the healthcare industry for drug and medical device functionality. The Pharma Polymers portfolio includes acrylic copolymers marketed under the brand name EUDRAGIT®, bioresorbable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymers marketed under the brand name RESOMER® as well as advanced formulation services for oral and parenteral dosage forms.
The Exclusive Synthesis Product Line focuses on the manufacture of custom-tailored, high-quality advanced GMP-intermediates and patented active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and high potency APIs (HPAPI) for the pharmaceutical industry, from clinical stage all the way to commercialization. The global production and research network of the product line offers a seamless service portfolio, ranging from the development of syntheses at the laboratory-scale to commercial-scale production in facilities certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Rexim Product Line is a significant producer of amino acids, peptides, and amino acid derivatives, supplied in pharmaceutical and food-grade qualities. These products are primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry, including in infusion solutions, in cell cultures, and to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients for the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes, but also have applications in the cosmetics and food industry. The strengths of Evonik include its global distribution network and cGMP-compliant manufacturing across the entire supply chain, ranging all the way to cGMP-compliant amino acid purification.
Company information
Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders
in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health and nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. In 2010 about 80 percent of the Group’s chemicals sales came from activities where it ranks among the market leaders. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms.
Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2010 more than 34,000 employees generated sales of around €13.3 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of about €2.4 billion.
Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.