LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG leads the way globally in transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) and oral thin films (OTFs). With its partners from the pharmaceutical industry, LTS has developed the most TTS products for the market. Its transdermal patches make treatment much easier for a large number of patients.
As a B2B partner of the pharmaceutical industry, LTS does not sell its own-branded products, making it a dedicated technology partner rather than a competitor.
Specifically, LTS does not develop any of its own active substances, but instead focuses its expertise on the development of new, innovative drug delivery systems that specialise in the transdermal application of existing and novel agents.
Its solutions make it possible for customers to broaden their product portfolio or make a substance appropriate for therapy. From feasibility studies to pharmaceutical development, and process development to production/ packaging, LTS offers all the possible services that could be needed, and all from one partner.
With sales of around €4.9 billion, the TTS sector makes up a very small part of the pharmaceuticals market. Nevertheless, it is an attractive niche. Around the world, there are around 7,000 pharmaceutical drugs, more than 20 of which are also currently available as transdermal patches.
As the world's leading provider of transdermal solutions, LTS currently processes 13 active substances. Experts assume that there are at least a further 30 active substances that could be applied transdermally.
The largest markets for patches are the US, at around €2.6 billion; Japan, at approximately €500 million; and Germany, at around €370 million, followed by the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Canada and Australia. Together with its partners, LTS has developed successful products in all global markets.
OTFs represent an exciting new market category. In 2010, the first OTF was approved in the US. Today, several active substances have been tested worldwide for their suitability in OTF technology. LTS already manufactures seven products for its partners and works intensively on further promising products.
LTS has the experience and expertise to develop and manufacture successful products right up to market approval, supporting each of its clients with its very own development team, which can also be integrated into a client's research team comprising of employees from the client's company. Based on a successful feasibility study, LTS develops the ideal delivery system for each customer and each substance.
LTS has sufficient capacity to manufacture the batch sizes required for global sales and high-volume products. Two identical production facilities in Andernach, Germany, and West Caldwell, the US, secure supply chain reliability even in crisis periods. Both facilities offer production capabilities of varying sizes to operate all demands from early drug development to large-scale production campaigns. As such, LTS matches its manufacturing processes for its customers specific products to the ideal equipment.
LTS is recognised by all major health authorities globally, and has broad experience in the field of hormone therapy and narcotic anaesthetic substances. LTS systematically separates the production of hormone products from non-hormone products, avoiding any risk of possible cross-contamination.
LTS offers all services from a single source. It produces patches and oral wafers in any batch size for all global markets, thus offering a comprehensive full service, including packaging development and support in the drug approval process as required. Complementing its full-service approach, LTS also takes on subsidiary tasks such as production as a contract manufacturer. On the basis of mutual trust, the company also offers its customers complete transparency in all project phases.
