#Italy #Menarini Group #Lusochimica #Lomagna #nebivolol

Lusochimica S.p.A. Achieves STEP Seal Recognition for SmartNEBI

Lusochimica S.p.A., a member of the Menarini Group based in Italy, recently announced a significant achievement in its commitment to sustainable pharmaceutical practices. The European Commission awarded the company the prestigious STEP Seal, recognizing the promising potential of its SmartNEBI project, aimed at developing a more sustainable and efficient synthesis of nebivolol, an important active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Understanding SmartNEBI

The SmartNEBI project is co-funded under the EU's EU4Health programme, designed to address cross-border healthcare challenges with high-quality and innovative medical initiatives. This award not only highlights SmartNEBI's strategic relevance to the European Strategic Platform for Technologies (STEP) but also certifies its contribution to technological and industrial advancement across Europe.

Key to the innovation within SmartNEBI is the synergistic integration of biocatalysis and flow chemistry. Biocatalysis employs enzymes as biological catalysts for selective, effective, and environmentally friendly chemical transformations, while flow chemistry facilitates safer processes that enhance heat and mass transfer. The combination of these two technologies allows for the synthesis of nebivolol in a manner that is more productive, scalable, and sustainable, ultimately minimizing the environmental impact related to energy consumption.

Roberto Falorni, CEO of Lusochimica S.p.A., expressed pride in receiving the STEP Seal. He emphasized that this accolade serves as a testament to Menarini Group’s commitment to research and development, as well as the capability of their grant and financing teams to promote their outstanding outcomes at a European level. ‘SmartNEBI is not just a project; it represents a crucial step towards greener, safer, and more efficient pharmaceutical manufacturing. This initiative will significantly lower solvent use, optimize energy consumption, and reinforce the resilience of the nebivolol supply chain – a medication vital for the health of millions of patients worldwide,’ he stated.

About Lusochimica S.p.A.

Lusochimica S.p.A. stands out in the pharmaceutical sector as a producer and synthesizer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and developer of scalable manufacturing processes. With its headquarters in Lomagna, Italy, it operates three manufacturing sites in Lomagna, Pisa, and Casaletto Lodigiano. Complying with stringent international standards of current good manufacturing practice (cGMP), Lusochimica’s operations are dedicated to excellence and safety in pharmaceutical production.

The Menarini Group, with headquarters in Florence, operates in 140 countries and generates annual revenues of €4.603 billion, employing over 17,000 individuals. The Group’s extensive reach includes nine R&D centers and 18 manufacturing facilities, producing over 609 million packs of medicines distributed across five continents, thereby ensuring high-quality healthcare worldwide.

Conclusion

The STEP Seal awarded to Lusochimica S.p.A. for the SmartNEBI project symbolizes a commitment to innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical industry, reflecting a broader movement towards sustainability in healthcare manufacturing. With essential advancements like these, the future of pharmaceuticals looks promising, with a stronger focus on environmental responsibility and patient health.