Bioiberica launches a natural origin thyroid API at CPhI 2019

Bioiberica, a world reference in the identification, extraction and development of animal-derived APIs, today announces the launch of its natural thyroid active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the treatment of hypothyroidism. Replacing or supplementing the hormones that are ineffectively produced by the human thyroid gland, the API specifically targets patients who prefer a natural origin treatment or those who continue to experience symptoms despite using the standard synthetic therapy.

Tackling hypothyroidism treatment satisfaction

Hypothyroidism is a common condition of thyroid hormone deficiency that affects up to 5.3% of the population in Europe, depending on the definition used. Thyroid hormone replacement via levothyroxine – a synthetic variation – is the standard treatment for patients with hypothyroidism. However, evidence suggests that 5-10% of patients treated with levothyroxine exhibit persistent symptoms despite having normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.[i] These symptoms include fatigue, weight gain and depression.

Javier Velasco-Alvarez, R&D Director at Bioiberica, comments: “There is a clear subset of patients suffering from hypothyroidism with persistent symptoms despite following a standard synthetic thyroid treatment. Our natural thyroid API, extracted from porcine thyroid glands, targets this unmet need. It contains the hormones - tetraiodothyronine, also known as thyroxine or T4, and triiodothyronine, otherwise known as liothyronine or T3 – that are naturally produced by the thyroid gland. Scientific evidence shows that thyroid API is an effective treatment from a natural origin[ii].”   

Manufactured to European pharmaceutical standards, thyroid offers quality, safety and regulatory compliance thanks to Bioiberica’s vertically-integrated supply chain, through which it can offer full traceability, security and sustainability.

Activating innovation through partnership

Jaume Reguant, Healthcare Director at Bioiberica, adds: “The development of our new thyroid API is the direct result of collaborative partnership with a key player in the pharmaceutical market. By combining our partner’s knowledge with our leading expertise in the identification and manufacture of specific biomolecules, we have successfully developed a solution that looks to address one of today’s many healthcare challenges.”

He continues: “Above all else, we believe that collaboration and shared expertise is key to innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. The development of our new thyroid API is just one example of how such partnerships can help us explore new horizons and activate the innovation of novel pharma solutions. It’s for this reason that we are actively seeking partners to investigate new opportunities in glycosaminoglycans, complex lipids, proteins and bioactive peptides of non-recombinant origin.”

ABOUT BIOIBERICA

Bioiberica is a global Life Science company committed to improving people, animal, and plant health and well-being. Our core business is the identification, extraction and development of animal-derived biomolecules, which are transformed into high quality products for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, veterinary, feed and agricultural industries. This specialisation has positioned us as the leading Heparin API manufacturer and a world reference in the research, production and sale of other animal-derived APIs, ingredients and compounds, such us chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, native type II collagen or thyroid.