Grupo Fuertes enters the porcine biotechnology sector by producing heparin obtained from pigs’ intestines. The company Hepabiotic, which is the result of a joint venture between Grupo Fuertes and Horizon products, will be focused on recovering animal organs and tissue and improving the well-being of people. The plant will be located in the facilities of El Pozo Alimentación, the largest of the Grupo Fuertes companies.

Heparin is obtained from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. Currently, 6,000 million doses are used each year and 150 million patients have been saved thanks to the use of this medicine. Its introduction into clinical medicine was an important development upon its discovery in 1916 due to the scarcity of alternative anticoagulants that were clinically available.
A pig produces the equivalent of one dose of heparin every five days, which is a natural blood thinner and has been on the market for over a hundred years. The medical use of heparin is for preventing and treating thrombosis, especially in cancer patients and those who have had undergone a surgical procedure. In addition, it is the recommended course of action for people who suffer from cardiovascular diseases.

One more step on the value chain

With the introduction of this project, Grupo Fuertes expands its value chain. This new focus is made possible thanks to a large investment in research and development by both companies, who will provide new and promising composites that will add additional value to the ones that are currently used.
Horizon Products is the brainchild of three business partners who have more than 30 years’ experience creating and selling animal sub-products across the world, especially tripe and porcine intestinal mucosa.

Grupo Fuertes, on the other hand, is made up of more than 20 companies, employing over 7,000 employees, and it is comprised of a strong agro-alimentary core, headed by El Pozo Alimentación, and a varied group of investments. The holding company bases its business philosophy on constant improvement, reinvestment and sustainable development.