ASH Launches Permexa Sodium Caprate to Support Oral Biologics Growth

Ashland Inc. ASH has launched permexa sodium caprate, an intestinal permeation enhancer designed for the development and commercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug products. The launch is timed to grab the growing demand for oral alternatives to injectable therapies. The high-performance enhancer is particularly manufactured keeping in mind rapidly expanding GLP-1, diabetes, weight-loss and metabolic disease applications.

The oral biologics and development market is gaining momentum as pharmaceutical companies invest in developing therapies that can improve patient convenience and adherence. However, developers face challenges related to permeability, formulation consistency, process robustness and manufacturing scalability. Ashland’s new product is designed to address these challenges by combining sodium caprate’s properties with improved pharmaceutical processing performance.

Permexa features an IP-protected manufacturing process intended to improve powder flow, compressibility and formulation consistency, combined with the permeability enhancement characteristics. This could help pharmaceutical developers scale production more efficiently.

Ashland noted strong interest in the product ahead of its commercial launch, with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and CDMO organizations participating in sampling, technical evaluations, benchmarking and formulation development activities. Positive customer feedback on the product’s differentiated properties further supports its potential.

ASH’s shares have gained 31.4% over the past year against the industry’s 0.9% decline.

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ASH’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

ASH currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). 

Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Neo Performance Materials Inc. NOPMF, Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS and Avient Corporation AVNT.

While NOPMF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), CRS and AVNT carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOPMF’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $1.4 per share, indicating a 185.71% year-over-year increase. NOPMF’sshares have gained 93% over the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRS’ fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $12.92 per share, indicating a rise of 20.07% year over year. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 8.39%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVNT’s current-year earnings is pinned at $3.2 per share, indicating a 13.48% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.4%. AVNT’s shares have gained 19.6% over the past year.

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