The R&D teams of Esteve Farma, Esteve Química and the Catalan Institute for Chemical Research of Tarragona (through its ERTFLOW technology development unit) have joined together to start up an ambitious research project: FLOW4HEALTH. This project relates to the development of innovative continuous flow chemical processes to prepare new active pharmaceutical ingredients useful to the chemical-pharmaceutical industry.

The purpose of FLOW4HEALTH is to facilitate work with hazardous reagents and extreme or delicate reaction conditions so that these can be escalated more predictably and safely by using continuous flow processes. Ultimately, it is about speeding up the first phases of drug research and simultaneously developing innovative laboratory methods and equipment. This will translate into quicker compound purification, improved productivity and efficiency of synthetic processes, and improved sustainability of same.

FLOW4HEALTH fosters ESTEVE's and ICIQ's capabilities to develop new molecules and active ingredients. World leaders in their respective fields, the two companies place this project as part of the challenges of the Spanish Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation 2013-2020. In this sense, the project will boost the competitiveness of our country's production activities in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, build global leadership of stakeholders in the scope of the European Research Area programs, join efforts with basic scientific research, technology research and innovation -all three being developed jointly by public and business stakeholders in the R&D&I system-, and further strengthen collaboration between these three entities.

Recently, FLOW4HEALTH received a project from the Challenges-Collaboration program funded by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) for the period 2016-2019 to ensure FLOW4HEALTH activities are carried out. Also, at the end of the project, the participating entities will have incorporated innovative technology and generated knowledge of continuous flow chemistry for further global application in other processes.

About ESTEVE

ESTEVE (www.esteve.com) is a leading chemical-pharmaceutical group in Spain with a strong presence worldwide. Founded in 1929 and presided over by Joan Esteve, the Company currently employs 2,279 people, has a presence in Europe, USA, Mexico and China, and had a sales revenue of 870 million Euros in 2015. ESTEVE is firmly committed to excellence and uses its best efforts to promote health and improve people's quality of life. Research being ESTEVE's hallmark, a portfolio of highly innovative projects ultimately aims to provide response to unmet medical needs. Because ESTEVE is a socially responsible Company, it ensures that all projects entered by it align with its CSR vision.


About the Catalan Institute for Chemical Research (ICIQ)

The ICIQ (www.iciq.es) is a member of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology and one of the top chemical research centers worldwide. This institute has 19 research groups who work in the fields of catalysis (improvement and discovery of more sustainable chemical production processes and development of new drugs) and renewable energy (production of hydrogen from water, molecular photovoltaics, CO2 conversion into materials and fuels of industrial interest). The ICIQ is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, has obtained 14 Grants from the European Research Council (ERC), and 9 of its researchers are ICREA professors. You may follow ICIQ at Twitter's link: @ICIQchem