Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and pharmaceutical excipients across the health, nutrition, and bioindustrial sectors, today announced the grand opening of its dedicated Health & Pharma Solutions Innovation Center in São Paulo, Brazil. The state-of-the-art facility marks a significant investment and reinforces Roquette’s commitment to serving as a trusted partner for the pharmaceutical industry in the development of advanced drug delivery solutions and life-saving therapies.
Located in Barueri, near the heart of São Paulo, the new center embodies a multi-million-dollar investment in cutting-edge technology, research capabilities, and scientific expertise. It is designed to enable Roquette’s team of specialists to deliver customized, high-quality solutions for pharmaceutical development, supporting customers at every stage of the product journey.
“Roquette’s new Pharmaceutical Innovation Center in São Paulo represents a major milestone in our dedication to global innovation and collaborative partnerships,” said Isabelle Bouvier, CEO of Roquette’s Health & Pharma Solutions. “This facility will serve as a hub where our customers, partners, and employees can come together, share knowledge, and create solutions that improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare innovation.”
As a regional innovation hub, the center is positioned to serve customers throughout Latin America, offering support from the earliest concept stages to final market launch. Leveraging Roquette’s extensive expertise in polymers and pharmaceutical formulation, as well as its trusted portfolio of products such as Avicel® microcrystalline cellulose, METHOCEL™ hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, MICROCEL® microcrystalline cellulose, and PEARLITOL® mannitol, the center is set to streamline development processes, reduce manufacturing costs, and accelerate time-to-market for new pharmaceutical products.
“Latin America is a dynamic market with enormous potential for pharmaceutical growth,” said Adriana Quiroga, Application, Development & Innovation Leader, Latin America, Health & Pharma Solutions Business Group. “By centralizing our innovation capabilities here, we are enabling faster product development, reducing lead times, and delivering solutions that have a meaningful impact not only in the region but globally.”
Beyond its technical capabilities, Roquette’s new center also underscores the company’s commitment to social responsibility and workforce development. In collaboration with the Northeast Center for Strategic Technologies (CETENE), Roquette is supporting the Futuras Cientistas program, which empowers young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Roquette’s scientists will mentor participants and provide hands-on experience by inviting them to shadow professionals in the new laboratory.
“At CETENE, we believe that true progress begins with inclusion,” said Dr. Giovanna Machado, Senior Researcher at the Center for Strategic Technologies of the Northeast. “Through Futuras Cientistas, and in partnership with Roquette, we are opening doors for young women to explore careers in science and technology—not just as students, but as future leaders. By investing in their potential, we are building a more equitable, innovative, and prosperous society.”
The Health & Pharma Solutions Innovation Center reflects Roquette’s broader strategy to enhance pharmaceutical research and development capabilities in Latin America. It brings together advanced analytical tools, formulation expertise, and an experienced team capable of addressing the complex challenges of modern drug delivery. By combining scientific rigor with collaborative problem-solving, the center aims to help pharmaceutical partners develop safer, more effective, and accessible therapies for patients across the region.
“This milestone celebrates more than just a facility; it exemplifies our commitment to advancing pharmaceutical innovation in Latin America,” said Bouvier. “By fostering collaboration and providing state-of-the-art capabilities, we are not only strengthening our partnerships with customers but also contributing to the development of a sustainable and thriving healthcare ecosystem.”
In addition to serving as a center for pharmaceutical innovation, the São Paulo facility will support ongoing research into excipient development, formulation optimization, and new technologies that address unmet needs in drug delivery. Its multidisciplinary approach combines scientific research, technical application, and customer collaboration to provide end-to-end solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the pharmaceutical industry.
The grand opening of the Health & Pharma Solutions Innovation Center underscores Roquette’s role as a leader in plant-based pharmaceutical excipients and its commitment to driving innovation in collaboration with industry partners. With this new hub, Roquette aims to strengthen Latin America as a center for scientific excellence, enhance access to life-saving therapies, and inspire the next generation of scientific talent through community engagement initiatives.
By integrating technical expertise, innovative technologies, and social responsibility, Roquette’s São Paulo center sets a new benchmark for pharmaceutical collaboration in Latin America and reinforces the company’s dedication to advancing healthcare solutions that make a tangible difference in patients’ lives.
