Leading pharmaceutical group Pliva has introduced joint health ingredient SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluenesulfonate) to its fine chemicals portfolio.
SAM-e is a natural compound found in every human cell and involved in over 35 biochemical processes in the body. A recent report from the US Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research Quality found it to be as effective as prescription antidepressants, fight osteoarthritis pain as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and help some liver conditions.
Croatia-based Pliva has developed a granulated form of the ingredient to better meet the needs of finished product manufacturers. SAMe granulate is free flowing and substantially less hygroscopic compared to SAMe bulk powder which requires a dehumidified processing environment and special water-free tablet coatings.
Pliva claims that the granulate can be processed in a normal environment and with standard water-based coatings, offering manufacturers easier processing and flexibility to develop multi-ingredient formulations.
The product, to be sold globally, will help manufacturers move to producing their own final dosage form, and in introducing innovative branded formulations, added the company, the largest pharmaceuticals company in Central and Eastern Europe.
Pliva is expanding in international markets with recent acquisitions in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, United Kingdom and USA. It has also spun off cosmetics, food and agrochemicals production units as stand alone companies to focus on new generic pharmaceuticals and international operations.
Contact Zdravko Mauko, SAMe project manager at Pliva, for more information on this product.