Press release
Health Care
October 6, 2014

EUDRAGIT®: The success story continues

60 years old and getting younger by the day – that is the spirit in which Evonik showcases its EUDRAGIT® brand at this year’s CPhI, the premier global expo of the pharmaceutical industry, in Paris. "With the experience and market understanding we gained over the past decades we are better equipped than ever to provide solutions for the customer needs of today and tomorrow," said Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, head of Evonik’s Health Care Business Line.

The anniversary is the perfect occasion to look back at the brand’s achievements for the pharmaceutical industry. The idea to explore the application of methacrylic co-polymers for tablet coating came about in the early 1950’s and the EUDRAGIT® brand was officially born in 1954. The first EUDRAGIT® polymer, launched in 1955, provided gastric resistance with superior control and reproducibility, leading the way to a broad range of new functionalities ranging from gastro-intestinal targeting to moisture protection and masking of both taste and odor. In the late 1960’s, the EUDRAGIT® researchers developed innovative copolymers to create film coatings which cleared the path to pH-independent time-controlled extended release effects.

Continuous improvements in processing and manufacturing of functional polymers further cemented the brand’s reputation for setting benchmarks. The development of emulsion polymerization in 1972 – which enabled the manufacture of aqueous dispersions, a prerequisite for using solvent-free coating technologies -, marked a major milestone in the industry.

In 1974, the EUDRAGIT® team began proposing hands-on seminars for customers to provide them with the technical know-how and application insights to make the most of their formulations with EUDRAGIT® products – and explore new application opportunities. Forty years later, Evonik provides training for over 1,000 participants every year via more than 30 seminars and workshops in more than 20 cities around the world.

The early 1990’s saw the introduction of new applications for EUDRAGIT®, such as hot-melt extrusion, matrix tablet manufacture, and processes for enhancing bioavailability. The ties with customers became stronger and closer in a collaborative effort to solve specific formulation issues, creating longstanding partnerships with pharmaceutical companies around the globe. The spectrum of services expanded to also cover the full range of formulation development, from feasibility studies via process optimization, clinical supply manufacture and scale-up to production. In this journey, Evonik evolved from an excipient supplier to a respected and sought after partner to the global pharmaceutical industry.

Delegates and visitors at CPhI have the opportunity to watch the EUDRAGIT® story unfold in a video presentation at the Evonik booth and to find out more about the most recent developments that set EUDRAGIT® above the rest. For one, Evonik is one of few companies worldwide capable of working with formulations with highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) at its Darmstadt (Germany) and Birmingham (Alabama, USA) sites.

"We have made substantial investments in assets and people to strengthen our development and manufacturing capabilities in order to better support our customers with their next-generation drug products and challenges” adds Dr. Herbeaux.

A special edition of Pharma Polymers News for the 60th Anniversary of EUDRAGIT® is available at the Evonik booth as well as under www.eudragit.com.

Company information

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders
in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms.

Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2013 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around €12.7 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.0 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.