Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) has launched permexa sodium caprate, an intestinal permeation enhancer intended to improve the oral delivery of peptide-based and biologic drugs. The Wilmington, Delaware-based specialty ingredients company positioned the product as a solution for pharmaceutical developers seeking oral alternatives to injectable therapies, particularly in GLP-1 agonists, diabetes, weight loss treatments, metabolic disorders, and endocrine therapeutics.
The excipient is engineered to address formulation consistency, process robustness, and scalability challenges in tablet manufacturing. Ashland highlighted its intellectual property-protected process, which enhances powder flow, compressibility, and formulation consistency while preserving permeability enhancement characteristics. The company reported global engagement prior to launch, including sampling activities, technical evaluations, pre-launch sales, benchmarking studies, and formulation development discussions with pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract development and manufacturing organizations.
Alessandra Faccin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Life Sciences at Ashland, stated that the rapid expansion of oral peptide development has driven demand for excipients capable of supporting both biological performance and pharmaceutical manufacturability. Caroline Cooreman, Strategy Director of Life Sciences at Ashland, noted that the company has additional products in development and leverages synergies with its vinyl pyrrolidone and derivatives portfolio, which is already servicing the market.
Ashland operates as a global additives and specialty ingredients provider, serving consumer and industrial markets including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. The company employs approximately 2,900 people and maintains operations in more than 100 countries.
