When healthcare innovation is driven by a clear purpose, it has the power to transform lives. Bioiberica, as one of the world’s leading heparin API manufacturers, exemplifies this by committing to the well-being of those it serves.
Since 1975, Bioiberica has operated by the guiding principle, ‘We Are All One,’ which emphasises the interconnectedness of all life forms. This drives Bioiberica’s belief that caring for one form of life necessitates caring for all. Building on this foundation, it developed a holistic ‘One Health’ operational strategy that places the well-being of all living things at the core of every operation.
“Whether it’s humans, animals or plants, we focus all our efforts and expertise on providing the best products,” says Joan Bassa, human health business unit director, “and this has been in our DNA from the beginning.”
With this approach, Bioiberica identifies and extracts biomolecules from biological sources, transforming them into safe, traceable and scientifically proven APIs. These products have high biological and therapeutic value and are used globally for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, veterinary, animal nutrition and agricultural applications, improving countless lives.
Improving Human Health with Life-Saving APIs
Among the many glycosaminoglycans and complex non-recombinant biomolecules that Bioiberica produces, the heparin API holds the greatest significance. The company has deep expertise in heparin molecules. All of its heparin-based products are developed and purified at it’s facilities in Spain, adhering to the strictest international quality standards.
Bioiberica’s extensive knowledge of heparin enables it to offer tailored processes and formulations across a heparin-based specialised portfolio that can be adapted to customers’ specifications. This makes Bioiberica the ideal partner for any heparin-related developments. The company is actively exploring new applications in close partnership with leading laboratories and research centers worldwide, aiming to unlock the full potential of this life-saving molecule.
Heparin, which is recognised by the WHO as an essential anticoagulant and antithrombotic drug, saves over 100 million lives annually. Bioiberica plays a pivotal role in this global effort. Out of 5 doses of Heparin administered worldwide, one has been manufactured by Bioiberica. Its efficacy and safety have been extensively proven with a solid scientific basis. Bioiberica’s diverse offerings—including heparin ammonium, heparin calcium and heparinoids—are instrumental in preventing and treating blood clots, reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing and supporting joint health.
Complementing this is a portfolio of branded ingredients, supported by scientific studies, including Collavant® n2, a native Type II collagen for joint health, and Mobilee®, a hyaluronic acid matrix that supports both joint improvement and muscle health. Additionally, Bioiberica offers a cutting-edge portfolio of science-backed nutraceutical ingredients for beauty and digestive health innovation. Alongside mobility, its Inspire Health solutions enhance quality of life and overall well-being.
Whether It’s Humans, Animals Or Plants, We Focus All Our Efforts And Expertise On Providing The Best Products
Bioiberica’s commitment to holistic health is transforming millions of lives worldwide. As the efforts towards global health initiatives intensify, the company’s expertise in glycosaminoglycans and biomolecule innovation will set the stage for targeted treatments that address the diverse healthcare concerns of populations across the globe and empower the health evolution.
Ensuring Consistent Quality with Vertical Integration
Bioiberica is a key division of the SARIA Group, a global leader dedicated to transforming organic by-products and waste from the food industry into valuable products for agriculture, animal feed, pharmaceuticals and energy. This strategic association provides Bioiberica with complete control over the product lifecycle—from sourcing raw materials and development to commercialisation and transportation—ensuring quality and consistency at every step.
“Since raw materials for heparin are derived from porcine intestinal mucosa, our vertical integration is essential in maintaining the highest standards of quality and consistency across all product ranges,” says Javier Velasco-Álvarez, Quality and R&D director. “It gives us the agility required to transition smoothly from pilot production to large-scale commercialisation.”
Bioiberica’s facilities are located close to raw material sources, allowing its Quality Assurance team to ensure complete traceability and safety across all products. Every stage of extraction is meticulously monitored, with stringent quality checks in place to detect and prevent bacterial or viral contamination. Advanced techniques, like PCR analysis, are employed to further verify that materials are sourced from the right species and authorised sources, bolstering the integrity of the entire production process. 
Throughout all these stages, Bioiberica strictly adheres to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. As a result, customers trust its ability to deliver science-backed, traceable, safe products.
Advancing Global Health Through Strategic Partnerships
Bioiberica redefines healthcare innovation through collaboration, forging impactful partnerships to advance R&D in two primary areas— enhancing analytical methods and customising heparin derivatives to elicit specific biological responses.
With a strong foundation in glycosaminoglycans and other non-recombinant biomolecules, Bioiberica has mastered extractive chemistry, biomolecule analysis and advanced derivatisation techniques. It can develop precise analytical methods for characterising complex molecules and ensuring consistency, making it a trusted partner for innovative projects involving complex biological compounds.
Bioiberica’s global collaborations span more than 30 leading research centres and universities across more than 10 countries. While working closely with renowned institutions, the company ensures its initiatives align with GMP, GLP and GCP guidelines, maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability.
“Our customers and partners formulate new heparin applications. We work closely with them to modify the heparin molecule’s structure for their specific applications,” explains Velasco-Álvarez.
One of Bioiberica’s most dynamic collaborations is with the G. Ronzoni Institute. The Italy-based institution is recognised for its contributions to chemistry and biochemistry, particularly in polysaccharides and glycosaminoglycans like heparin. Bioiberica also works with King’s College London to strengthen its research network further.
Bioiberica’s partnership-driven approach has proven especially valuable in the medical device sector, where it modifies heparin molecules to enhance anticoagulant efficacy and compatibility with other active ingredients.
In a recent collaboration, it assisted a medtech firm in refining the molecular weight, structure and derivatisation of heparin for use in an advanced ophthalmic device. Due to the small size of the device, the project was technically complex and required specialised knowledge of molecular modifications.
As evident, Bioiberica’s collaborative approach and technical expertise pave the way for advancing healthcare and supporting sustainable development. While making strides in innovation, it is also guiding its collaborators towards a brighter future for all.
Pioneering Innovation for a Better Tomorrow
What drives breakthroughs in biologically derived molecules? At Bioiberica, the answer lies in the synergy between a skilled team of researchers and world-class facilities. Their diverse life sciences backgrounds and expertise, coupled with cutting-edge laboratories, pilot plants and full-scale production facilities, pave the way for innovation.
As Bioiberica approaches its 50th anniversary, its vision remains unwavering–every product must serve a greater purpose. This commitment unites every division under a singular mission of enhancing the quality of life for all living beings.
From healthcare to agriculture, Bioiberica’s holistic approach underscores the interconnectedness of its work and its impact on global well-being. The company brings this interconnectedness to life by valorising amino acids and low molecular weight peptides—by-products of heparin production—and turning them into valuable animal and plant health products.
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The Most Important Goal Is To Maintain A Positive Outlook Every Day And Create Something That Makes The World A Little Better
Bioiberica’s Animal Health Business Unit develops hydrolysed proteins of the porcine intestinal mucosa and offers specific ranges of highly concentrated peptides, aminoacids and nucleotides designed for different animal species. These products enhance the well-being of companion pets and improving the performance of production animals. The Plant Health Unit is at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, developing bio stimulants and crop protection products that enhance plant resilience and recovery in situations of abiotic stress. It is currently focusing on bio stimulant innovation to address the issue of water scarcity, specially for drought-prone regions like the Mediterranean Sea.
Through this approach, Bioiberica pioneers a circular economy using renewable resources and promoting a zero-waste future.
“We are responsible towards the world we live in and are honest with our clients. Our holistic approach not just supports environmental sustainability but also a circular economy,” says Bassa.
With each milestone, Bioiberica inspires new generations of researchers and visionaries to challenge the status quo, driving progress toward a more sustainable and interconnected world. Through its focus on collaboration and purpose-driven innovation, the company continually redefines what is possible in the life sciences.
“Our approach will improve the quality of life for our patients and, fundamentally, the health of all living beings,” Bassa says, summing it up. “The most important goal is to maintain a positive outlook every day and create something that makes the world a little better.”
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