Date: 14/04/2025

The global pharmaceutical market continues to expand, and Brazil is no different. According to IQVIA, the country ranks as the largest pharmaceutical market in Latin America, driven by growing demand for essential inputs and advances in drug production.

In this context, heparin, extracted mainly from porcine intestinal mucosa, plays an essential role in medicine, being one of the most widely used anticoagulants in surgery, hemodialysis and other medical applications that require blood coagulation control.

Given its relevance, this article will discuss the main benefits of heparin for human health, its impact on medical treatments and how BRF Ingredients is acting as a supplier of this input to the global pharmaceutical industry.

Topics:

What is Heparin, how is it produced and what is it used for?

Heparin, discovered in mid-1916 by Jay McLean and William H. Howell, is a natural anticoagulant widely used in medicine to prevent and treat thromboembolic disorders.

Its main function is to inhibit the formation of blood clots, making it essential in the treatment of conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. In addition, heparin is used in medical procedures that require anticoagulation, such as heart surgery and hemodialysis.

For pharmaceutical use, heparin is extracted mainly from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. In order to guarantee its efficacy and safety, the production process involves extraction and purification steps.

There are different forms of heparin used in medical practice, including unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). UFH is made up of a heterogeneous mixture of chains of varying sizes, while LMWH are produced through the controlled hydrolysis of UFH, resulting in molecules of lower molecular weight.

LMWHs have advantages such as more predictable pharmacokinetics and a lower risk of adverse effects, and are widely used in the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic events.

Studies show that around a third of deaths associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) occur in the post-operative period. However, research shows that the use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in this period can reduce mortality related to this complication by up to 70%.

Heparin can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously, depending on the clinical indication and the type used. To ensure its therapeutic efficacy and reduce the risk of complications such as bleeding, its dosage and monitoring must be carefully adjusted.

What are the benefits of Heparin for human health?

Heparin is widely recognized for its fundamental role in health prevention and treatment, significantly reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular complications.

In addition to anticoagulation, it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, extending its therapeutic applications beyond hematology. Its use has been explored in various clinical conditions, contributing to a broader and more effective approach to medicine.

Heparin's main benefits include:

Prevention and treatment of thrombosis

It acts directly to inhibit the formation of blood clots and is essential for patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism.

Use in surgeries and medical procedures

Use in surgeries, both cardiovascular and orthopaedic, to minimize the risk of complications.

Stroke prevention and vascular protection

Reduces thrombus formation, preventing ischemic events such as stroke and other associated cardiovascular diseases.

Safe anticoagulation during pregnancy

Used to prevent complications arising from coagulation disorders in pregnant women.

Prevention of vascular blemishes

Helps maintain healthy blood circulation, preventing the appearance of marks resulting from vascular obstructions.

Renal blood clearance for diabetic diseases

Contributes to blood filtration in patients with metabolic diseases such as diabetes, helping to control kidney complications.

With its proven benefits and wide range of applications, heparin continues to be one of the most versatile drugs in medicine, extending its contributions beyond anticoagulation.

How does the use of Heparin promote a sustainable production model?

Because it is extracted from porcine intestinal mucosa, heparin production is directly linked to the concept of the circular economy, a model that seeks to minimize waste and optimize the use of natural resources.

This principle is increasingly gaining ground in the industry, allowing by-products from other production chains to be reused efficiently, reducing environmental impacts and promoting a more rational use of raw materials.

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the circular economy seeks to maximize the usefulness of materials through regeneration and restoration, minimizing the impacts generated by the linear production model.

Thus, the circular economy in heparin production avoids the disposal of valuable by-products, such as pigs, and contributes to a more sustainable production chain.

Unlike conventional linear processes, in which resources are extracted, used and discarded, this model helps reinsert biomaterials into the production chain, adding value and reducing the need to extract new inputs.

BRF Ingredients’ participation in the supply of Heparin

In recent years, we have advanced in our studies to supply inputs to the Human Health market and we currently play a key role in supplying raw heparin to the global pharmaceutical industry.

With an integrated production system that ensures a high level of traceability and safety at all stages, we operate under strict regulations, from the origin of the raw material to the extraction and marketing of the input.

At BRF Ingredients, raw heparin is extracted from the intestinal mucosa of pigs 100% approved by the Federal Inspection System (SIF), with total control of the production chain (BRF S/A). During the process, it undergoes careful quality selection, followed by enzymatic digestion, as well as isolation and purification stages.

From the removal of the mucosa in the slaughterhouse to the final product, we follow standards and controls in line with international Good Manufacturing Practice standards.

Currently, together with BRF, one of the largest food companies in the world, we are continuously investing in research and development to improve our processes and expand our contribution to the pharmaceutical sector with heparin and glycosaminoglycans.

Final considerations

Even after more than 100 years since its discovery, heparin remains one of the most widely used anticoagulants in medicine, being indispensable for surgical procedures, renal therapies and the management of thromboembolic disorders.

Its versatility, safety and sustainable basis continue to drive research and new applications, reinforcing its relevance to global health, especially in complex clinical scenarios. In this context, BRF Ingredients' performance stands out, as it has contributed as a reliable solution, based on a traceable production chain and aligned with the best regulatory practices.

By strengthening its presence in the pharmaceutical sector, BRF Ingredients reaffirms its commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation, consolidating its position as a strategic power in the circular economy and a benchmark partner in the supply of raw heparin.

In addition to Heparin, BRF Ingredients' portfolio includes high-performance solutions for different segments, both Feed and Food Ingredients. To find out more about our products and innovations, follow our social networks and keep up to date with news in the sector, we are at Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.