dsm-firmenich at FCE Pharma: Explore the latest trends and technologies innovating the LATAM market

Summary

• To stay on top of emerging trends and technologies in the pharmaceutical market, dsm-firmenich attended one of the biggest international exhibitions of technology for the pharma industry in São Paulo, Brazil – FCE Pharma.
• The Latin American (LATAM) pharma market has seen huge innovation in technology since the COVID-19 pandemic in key areas such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and digital health.
• Read on to get the details on the latest insights from the show, to inspire your next product in pharma.

dsm-firmenich at FCE Pharma, São Paulo, Brazil

Last month, dsm-firmenich attended one of the biggest international exhibitions of technology for the pharmaceutical industry – FCE Pharma – in São Paulo, Brazil, to explore the latest industry trends in the LATAM market. Hear from dsm-firmenich’s experts from Latin America, Yuri Yanaka (Head of Marketing HNC LATAM), Camile Woitiski (Head of Innovation HNC LATAM) and Thiago Melaré (Sales Manager Pharma LATAM) on the rapidly evolving trends and technologies in this region and key lessons for innovators, formulators and researchers across the global industry.

What are the key trends that are shaping the LATAM pharma market?

Yuri Yanaka remarks: “In 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt across the world, and the LATAM market was no exception. Since then, the region has seen a significant growth in the pharma industry, especially driven by immunity products. During the pandemic people witnessed the rapid advancements made in the development of the vaccine for COVID-19. As a result, the demand for faster and superior innovation in a number of health areas has grown. The pharma market is now undergoing rapid changes due to the development of several technologies, and a few key trends were highlighted at FCE Pharma:

1. Plant-based solutions – many patients are now looking for plant-based pharmaceuticals to fit in with their plant-based diets. Demand for plant-based options with the same purity and standardization of pharma products is at an all-time high and expected to grow. For instance, cannabinoid-based products – derived from the cannabis plant – are becoming a popular choice in a broad range of health areas, including epilepsy, stress and insomnia.
2. Improved dosage formats – as technology advances, manufacturers are able to enhance formulations, such as bioavailability to improve drug performance. At dsm-firmenich, our team of expert formulators have utilized new technology to develop a cannabinoid API with improved bioavailability, overcoming a common barrier to unlocking the full potential of this molecule.
3. Disease prevention – the pandemic has heightened awareness about the importance of disease prevention. As a result, there is increased demand for immunity-boosting solutions and vaccines.”

What are some exciting new technologies that are innovating the LATAM pharma market?

Camile Woitiski comments: “The LATAM pharmaceutical market is witnessing the development of several exciting new technologies that have the potential to drive innovation and transform various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. At FCE Pharma, the areas where technology is gaining the most momentum in the LATAM region were spotlighted, including:

1. Enhancing drug delivery with nanotechnology – nanoparticles, liposomes and other nanostructures can be used to enhance drug stability, improve bioavailability and target specific cells to improve drug delivery systems. These technologies offer the potential for more effective and targeted therapies, reduced side effects and improved patient compliance.
2. Innovating drug development with artificial intelligence – AI technologies are being applied in drug discovery, clinical trials and personalized medicine to propel innovation in the LATAM pharmaceutical market.
3. Increasing healthcare access with digital health – telemedicine platforms and digital health solutions enable remote patient consultations and monitoring. Not only does this improve access to services, but also the efficiency of the healthcare provided. Omnichannel strategies are also being strongly applied for an integrated patient experience.”

How are companies bringing cannabinoid products to market in the LATAM region and what can other regions learn from this?

Camile Woitiski continues: “The Brazilian Health Authority (ANVISA) released the RDC 327/2019, which regulates the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes in Brazil. Since then, between June 2019 and June 2023, there have been 119 authorization requests submitted to ANVISA, with 29 products authorized and 9 products commercialized under prescription according to Kaya Mind. Pharmaceutical companies are launching full spectrum and cannabidiol (CBD) isolated products that are imported or manufactured in Brazil and vary in concentration from 17 to 200 mg/ml.

At FCE Pharma, several areas were highlighted as being key in bringing cannabinoid products to market. For example, the importance of product quality and clinical trial data to support product claims. Moreover, improving the bioavailability of cannabinoids was stressed as an important factor to bring enhanced formulations to market. Other regions should bear in mind these crucial aspects for successful drug development in the cannabinoid arena.”

How are pharma companies in the LATAM region dealing with the nitrosamine crisis and what learnings can we pass to other regions?

Camile Woitiski continues: “To control the occurrence of nitrosamine formation, the LATAM industry is first identifying all possible causes of contamination, starting at the very beginning of API production. Next, formulators are addressing contamination with mitigating strategies, such as the use of antioxidants. In this region, many formulators are using scavengers, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), as sacrificial agents to inhibit nitrosamine formation - for products where the appearance of nitrosamines cannot be definitively controlled.” Woitiski emphasized the importance of establishing a robust risk analysis for formulators globally, as it is crucial to determine the most suitable mitigation strategy.

How can a partnership in pharma help companies bring successful innovations to market?

Thiago Melaré notes: “A partnership in pharma can support customers from concept design and throughout product development (including finished product forms), with technical expertise and regulatory insight at a global scale. Partnering in pharma can also help customers speed up their innovation pipeline. For instance, dsm-firmenich has created an ecosystem designed to bring solutions that adapt to your needs and help you succeed in a rapidly evolving space.

At dsm-firmenich, we’re also committed to help our customers develop sustainable solutions that not only bring progress to life but also guarantee a profitable business. One of our solutions is the Imp’Act Card™ - an ingredient label that enables transparent and accurate measurements of the environmental footprint. The card represents IMPact and ACTion, which is what is needed to create sustainable innovation. Together with our comprehensive range of solutions, natural and renewable ingredients and our renown scientific and technological capabilities, we work to combine what is essential for life, desirable for consumers and more sustainable for our planet together with our customers”