Grupo Fuertes-ELPOZO Advances Circular Economy with Biopharmaceutical Innovations from Porcine By-Products
Grupo Fuertes-ELPOZO invests over €45 million in new biopharmaceutical facilities to extract essential medicines from pig by-products, advancing circular economy practices.
- • Grupo Fuertes-ELPOZO is constructing new facilities to extract pharmaceutical compounds from pig intestines and thyroids.
- • The initiative focuses on producing heparin, essential for thrombosis treatment, saving an estimated 100 million lives annually.
- • Active pharmaceutical ingredients for hypothyroidism treatment will be extracted from pig thyroids.
- • Grupo Fuertes has invested over €45 million in circular economy initiatives over the past four years.
Key details
Grupo Fuertes-ELPOZO is significantly enhancing its commitment to the circular economy by investing in biotechnological innovation focused on extracting high-value pharmaceutical compounds from pig by-products. Through its joint venture Hepabiotic with Horizon Products, the company is building new facilities at ELPOZO ALIMENTACIÓN's headquarters in Alhama de Murcia dedicated to producing heparin from pig intestinal mucosa and active pharmaceutical ingredients from pig thyroids. Heparin, regarded as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization, is vital for preventing and treating thrombosis and is credited with saving approximately 100 million lives annually, particularly benefiting oncology patients and post-surgical individuals. The new extraction plant will also address hypothyroidism treatment needs, a condition with growing prevalence, especially among women and those over 50 years of age where it can affect up to 10% of some populations. Grupo Fuertes has invested more than 45 million euros into circular economy initiatives over the past four years, reflecting a strong sustainability strategy aimed at improving the entire value chain while fostering environmental responsibility. This focus on utilizing animal by-products for pharmaceutical purposes represents a strategic push toward biotechnological sustainability and health impact, reinforcing Spain's role in innovative and responsible economic development.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.