RheaVita, a leader in controlled, continuous freeze-drying technology for biopharmaceuticals, has entered into a strategic partnership with IMA Life, a global leader in advanced aseptic pharmaceutical production solutions and one of the three pharma divisions of IMA Group. The partnership includes both a financial investment in RheaVita from IMA Life and ongoing support to accelerate the development and commercialization of RheaVita’s groundbreaking technology for the global biopharma market.
“Our partnership with IMA Life is a major milestone for RheaVita,” said Prof. Dr. Thomas De Beer, CEO and co-founder of RheaVita. “Working with an industry leader like IMA Life strengthens our capabilities in both technology development and equipment manufacturing, and provides our end-users with confidence in the reliability and robustness of our solutions. With IMA Life’s global expertise, we are well-positioned to introduce our continuous freeze-drying technology to biopharma manufacturers worldwide, offering a fast, flexible, and more reliable alternative to conventional batch freeze-drying processes.”
Transforming Freeze-Drying for Biopharmaceuticals
This partnership represents a key step forward in RheaVita’s mission to revolutionize biopharmaceutical freeze-drying processes. RheaVita’s patented technology integrates all traditional freeze-drying steps into a continuous, controlled production line, enabling faster process development, greater flexibility, and consistent product quality at the single-vial level. This solution is particularly valuable for high-value, low-volume biopharmaceutical products, such as gene therapies, RNA therapies, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, vaccines, and precision medicines for rare diseases.
Michele Arduini, Managing Director of IMA Life, commented, “RheaVita’s continuous freeze-drying technology is a future-proof solution for producing increasingly complex biopharmaceutical drugs in a flexible and well-controlled manner. As the demand for low-volume, high-value production grows, RheaVita’s system is perfectly suited to meet this need. Each unit produced using their technology undergoes rigorous individual quality control, ensuring every dose meets the highest standards. This level of control makes RheaVita’s solution an invaluable asset for biopharmaceutical companies committed to consistent product quality and efficiency.”
A Shared Vision for Innovation
IMA Life’s commitment to innovation in pharmaceutical production aligns closely with RheaVita’s objectives to improve freeze-drying processes and meet the evolving needs of the global biopharmaceutical industry. Both companies are dedicated to advancing the industry by setting new standards in freeze-drying technology, enhancing production efficiency, and ensuring the highest quality in life-saving therapies.
The partnership reflects IMA Life’s ongoing mission to support the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies that enhance pharmaceutical production and contribute to the global fight against diseases.
About IMA Life
IMA Life, part of the IMA Group, is a leading provider of advanced freeze-drying and aseptic processing solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. With decades of experience and a comprehensive range of products and services, IMA Life helps pharmaceutical companies achieve high-quality, efficient, and reliable manufacturing processes on a global scale. IMA Life remains at the forefront of pharmaceutical production innovation, offering tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each client.
About RheaVita
Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Ghent University, RheaVita is dedicated to transforming the freeze-drying process in biopharmaceutical production. The company’s continuous freeze-drying technology overcomes the limitations of traditional methods by integrating all process steps into a single, efficient system. RheaVita’s innovative approach enables faster product development, flexible production, and superior product quality—ideal for producing precision medicines and other high-value therapies. Through strategic partnerships, RheaVita is committed to scaling its technology to meet the growing needs of the global pharmaceutical industry.