Heraeus completes multi-million Euro cancer therapy API capacity expansion

Heraeus Pharmaceutical Ingredients’ additional production line for Platinum-based highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (Pt hAPIs) is now fully operational at the company’s headquarters in Hanau, Germany.

Heraeus, a business line of Heraeus Precious Metals, is the leading global market supplier for Platinum-based HPAPIs, which are a key component used in chemotherapy drugs.

Work started on the new production line in accordance with the latest EHS and GMP requirements in 2018, representing a multi-million Euro investment for Heraeus in response to the sustained global increase in demand for its products.

Successful validation of its new production line means that Heraeus has now significantly increased its manufacturing capacity to help in the fight against cancer.

“We are proud to have brought this project to a successful conclusion in such a short space of time. Our customers can now benefit from our additional capacity and quicker delivery times for top-quality active ingredients,” said Marcus Hannakam, Head of Pharmaceutical Ingredients at Heraeus.

“The global increase in demand for our active ingredients and the concentration on experienced, reliable manufacturers were key for our investment. This represents a major step toward long-term success, both for our customers and for Heraeus Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

“The expansion further secures the market leadership of Heraeus Pharmaceuticals Ingredients. As a long-established partner in the battle against cancer, the business line already enjoys an excellent reputation among customers and regulatory authorities which we intend to strengthen further with this latest investment.”

Pt hAPIs are important resources in treating cancer, especially in combination therapies, and are used to combat diseases such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and testicular cancer.

The demand for Pt hAPIs in cancer treatment is rising for various reasons: demographic change is resulting in more and more cancer patients, while access to chemotherapies in emerging economies is improving. As a result, the current market availability of these vital ingredients is reaching its limits, which affects not only the pharmaceutical industry, but the entire healthcare system as well.

About Heraeus Pharmaceutical Ingredients

All Pt hAPIs are developed and produced by Heraeus Pharmaceutical Ingredients at the Heraeus headquarters in Hanau, Germany. For more than 30 years, Heraeus has been building its reputation as the number one supplier of Pt hAPIs used in cancer therapies worldwide. Heraeus Pharmaceutical Ingredients puts great emphasis on the highest quality of all its products and takes pride in being certified by all major health authorities and agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

About Heraeus Precious Metals

Heraeus Precious Metals is a leading provider of precious metals services and products. We combine all activities related to our comprehensive expertise in the precious metals loop – from trading to precious metals products to recycling.

We are one of the world’s largest refiners of platinum group metals (PGMs) and a leading name in industrial precious metals trading. Our precious metals products are used in a wide variety of industries, including the chemical, pharmaceutical, glass, electronics and automotive industries. We offer top quality solutions and products based on many years of experience and technical expertise. We are a reliable development partner for our customers and find the best solutions for their requirements.

About Heraeus

Heraeus, the technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a leading international family-owned portfolio company. The company’s roots go back to a family pharmacy started in 1660. Today, the Heraeus group includes businesses in the environmental, electronics, health and industrial applications sectors. Customers benefit from innovative technologies and solutions based on broad materials expertise and technological leadership.

In the 2019 financial year, Heraeus generated revenues of €22.4 billion with approximately 14,900 employees in 40 countries. Heraeus is now one of the top 10 family-owned companies in Germany and holds a leading position in its global markets.