Biopharmaceuticals, such as monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and therapeutic proteins, have become the most relevant drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the instability of biopharmaceuticals is a significant challenge in their development, manufacture, storage and distribution. Biopharmaceuticals are more complex and sensitive than small molecule drugs. The team of Rita Ventura at the Bioorganic Chemistry Lab at ITQB NOVA synthesized a library of new organic molecules based on osmolytes found in nature that showed significantly improved protein stabilization properties under several stresses. These results led to the creation of the startup Extremochem to further develop these new stabilizers for a wider set of applications. Ten years after its creation, Extremochem was sold to the international company Hovione, showcasing the high economic and social impact of the technology by contributing to the development of less expensive and safer biopharmaceuticals (https://www.hovione.com/press-room/press-release/hovione-acquires-extremochem-and-its-portfolio-proprietary-sugars-support-customers-stabilization-and-delivery-biopharmaceuticals).
Extremochem’s stabilizers addressed critical challenges faced during the production, storage and transportation of biopharmaceuticals. The compounds developed by the company were designed to protect proteins from degradation under extreme conditions, such as fluctuations in temperature, pH levels and physical stress. By maintaining the integrity and efficacy of biopharmaceuticals throughout these processes, Extremochem’s technology reduces the risks of aggregation and loss of potency, which are common and costly issues in the industry. This not only helps to reduce production costs and decrease development failure but also improves the overall quality and safety of the drugs reaching patients.
The economic impact of Extremochem’s innovations was further magnified through strategic collaborations with key industry players, such as MedImmune/AstraZeneca and Puratos Belgium, as well as other academic and industrial partners. These partnerships allowed the technology to be applied to a variety of therapeutic areas and settings, including diagnostic kits and biosimilar production, highlighting the flexibility and broad applicability of the stabilizers.
Socially, Extremochem’s contributions went beyond cost savings. The startup technology plays a critical role in making biopharmaceuticals more accessible to a wider population by improving the shelf life and safety of these drugs. This directly benefits patients who rely on biopharmaceuticals for life-saving treatments for conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the company created job opportunities and trained a new generation of scientists in the field of biopharmaceutical stabilization.
The acquisition of Extremochem by Hovione in 2023 marked a significant milestone, cementing the long-term value and impact of its technology. This transition has paved the way for further expansion of the stabilizers into new markets and therapeutic areas, ensuring that Extremochem’s innovations continue to contribute to the biopharmaceutical industry’s growth and success.
Extremochem’s development of advanced stabilizers will contribute not only to reduce the cost of biopharmaceutical production but also enhance the safety and availability of vital therapies. The company’s work represents a transformative step forward in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a lasting impact on both economic and social fronts.