CPHI Milan 2024: Heparin and Heparinoids in Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical Technology®Europe sat down with Joan Bassa, Human Health Business Unit Director at Bioiberica, to talk about the history of heparin, its uses in pharmaceuticals, and what heparinoids have to offer the industry.

“Heparin has been [around] for more than 50 years, [and is] the product of [choice] against thrombosis, that, by the way, is still now one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide. There are other important new applications being researched. For example, there are clinical studies in different phases, some very advanced, on the use of heparin, for example, in malaria, as well as in some respiratory diseases like COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], or for instance, in facilitating the mechanism of childbirth in certain conditions that could affect the viability of the newborn. These probably are the most remarkable in the in the past few years.”

According to Bassa, heparinoids inhibit blood clots and anti-inflammatory properties, especially in patients who cannot use heparin. Heparinoids can be used in wound healing, ulcers, inflammatory diseases, or in vascular diseases. “Heparinoids can be administered orally in topical gels, for example, or ointments, or depending on the quality and the purity, they can also be injected,” says Bassa. “In the case of heparin, all the heparin, basically is injected. So, these are the main differences. But it's true that more and more, heparinoids are becoming an important product to be used in in these different applications.”

"At Bioiberica, we are committed to the highest manufacturing excellence standards," Bassa says. "Through our vertically integrated supply chain, we give peace of mind to our customers, ensuring the highest quality, safety, and full traceability of our products."

Click the above video to watch the full interview.

Visit Bioiberica at Booth 3A94. CPHI Milan is being held from Oct. 8–10, 2024 in Milan, Italy.