{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"125740","rtpr_id":"nGNX8tbc2L","ticker":"ASH","exchange":"NYSE","all_tickers":["ASH"],"title":"Ashland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch of permexa™ sodium caprate","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-08-24T11:00:00.530Z","article_body":"WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH),\nis announcing the launch of permexa™ sodium caprate, a high-performance\nintestinal permeation enhancer designed to support the scalable development\nand commercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug\nproducts, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic\npipelines. \n\nThe launch comes at a time of significant market momentum in oral peptide and\nbiologics development. Pharmaceutical companies continue to invest heavily in\noral alternatives to injectable therapies, driven by the potential to improve\npatient convenience, enhance treatment adherence and unlock new therapeutic\nopportunities. As a result, pipelines across GLP-1’s, diabetes and weight\nloss, metabolic disorders, endocrine therapeutics and other peptide-based\nmedicines continue to expand. \n\nDevelopers continue to face important challenges as programs move from concept\nthrough development and manufacturing, despite growing investment and\nencouraging clinical progress. Permeability enhancement remains critical for\noral drug products, but formulation consistency, process robustness and\nscalability are increasingly recognized as key barriers to successful\ncommercialization. \n\nAshland permexa™ sodium caprate was engineered to help address these\nchallenges by combining established sodium caprate functionality with improved\npharmaceutical processing performance. The excipient is designed with an\nIP-protected process to support more robust tablet manufacturing through\nimproved powder flow, enhanced compressibility and greater formulation\nconsistency, while maintaining the permeability enhancement characteristics\nrequired for oral drug delivery applications. The result is a solution\nintended not only for laboratory success, but also for real-world\npharmaceutical development and manufacturing environments where\nreproducibility, scalability and process robustness are essential. \n\nThe Ashland launch follows strong interest from pharmaceutical developers\nworldwide. Ahead of the commercial launch, the company recorded engagement\nwith multiple pharmaceutical, biotech and CDMO organizations globally,\nspanning sampling activities, technical evaluations, pre-launch sales,\nbenchmarking studies and formulation development discussions. Customer\nfeedback has been overwhelmingly positive on the product’s differentiated\nproperties. \n\n“The rapid growth of oral peptide development is creating demand for\nexcipients that support both biological performance and pharmaceutical\nmanufacturability,” said Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and\ngeneral manager, Life Sciences, Ashland. “Permexa™ sodium caprate was\nengineered to help customers address complex challenges and move more\nconfidently from formulation through commercialization. The level of\nengagement we have seen prior to launch demonstrates the importance of\nsolutions that support both drug delivery performance and scalable\nmanufacturing.” \n\nCaroline Cooreman, strategy director, Life Sciences, Ashland, continued,\n“Consequently, Ashland is not stopping here. We have developed a multi-stage\nstrategy to support the pharmaceutical market with essential excipients for\nthe oral delivery of biologics. We have multiple additional products in\nthe pipeline and recognize important synergies with our vinyl pyrrolidone and\nderivatives (VP&D) portfolio. We are already actively servicing this market\nwith our established VP&D portfolio, which will be further strengthened by our\noral biologics’ portfolio expansion,” she concluded.\n\nFor more information about Permexa™ sodium caprate and how the expanded\nAshland portfolio of solutions for oral biologics delivery—including product\ninformation, technical support and sampling opportunities— interested\nparties should visit http://ashland.com/permexa  or contact their local\nAshland solver. \n\nFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of\nSection 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the\nSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ashland has identified some of\nthese forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,”\n“believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “is likely,”\n“predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “objectives,” “may,”\n“will,” “should,” “plans” and “intends” and the negative of\nthese words or other comparable terminology. Ashland may from time to time\nmake forward-looking statements in its Annual Report to Stockholders,\nquarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange\nCommission (“SEC”), news releases and other written and oral\ncommunications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland’s\nexpectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made,\nregarding Ashland’s future operating performance and financial condition,\nits strategy as well as the economy and other future events or circumstances.\n\nThe risks and uncertainties we face which may cause our actual results to\ndiffer materially from the results expressed, projected, or implied in these\nforward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Ashland’s\naggressive growth goals and the extent to which such goals may be impacted by\na failure to optimize our tangible and intangible assets, a failure to\nidentify and integrate acquisition targets, any unexpected costs and\nliabilities associated with such acquisitions, and goodwill impairment;\nbusiness disruptions stemming from natural, operational, and other\ncatastrophic events, including disruptions to supply and logistics functions,\nmanufacturing delays, and information technology system and network failures;\nclimate change and related resource impacts; changes in consumer preferences\nand a reduction in demand for Ashland’s products; risks inherent in\noperating a global business, including tariffs and other trade policies,\ngeopolitical instability and armed conflict, and challenges associated with\nhiring and managing a diverse workforce across countries with differing laws,\nregulations, and cultural practices; economic downturns and disruptions in the\nfinancial markets; Ashland’s substantial indebtedness, including the\npossibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may\nadversely affect our future cash flows, limit our ability to repay debt and\nobtain future financing, place Ashland at a competitive disadvantage, and make\nus more vulnerable to interest rate increases; our ability to develop and\nmarket new products and remain competitive in the markets in which we operate;\nour ability to pass increases in the costs of energy and raw materials to\ncustomers and to fulfill our contractual requirements with customers and\nvendors; downward pressures on prices and margins; the ability to attract and\nretain key employees and to provide for effective succession planning;\ncybersecurity risks, including disruptions to or failures in Ashland’s\ninformation technology systems and networks, malicious cyberattacks, and the\ninadvertent or accidental disclosure or loss of proprietary or sensitive\ninformation; Ashland’s ability to effectively protect and enforce its\nintellectual property rights; exposure to products liability claims; risks\nrelated to compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations,\nincluding the potential for costly litigation, remediation, and settlement\nactions; exposure to pending and threatened asbestos-related litigation;\nchanges in the legal and regulatory landscapes in which we operate; and\nchanges in taxation or adverse tax rulings. These risks and uncertainties also\ninclude, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in Item 1A.\n“Risk Factors” of Ashland’s most recent Form 10-K, and in our other\nperiodic reports filed with the SEC. Ashland believes its expectations and\nassumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the\nexpectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required,\nAshland undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking\nstatements made in this presentation whether as a result of new information,\nfuture events or otherwise. Information on Ashland’s website is not\nincorporated into or a part of this presentation.\n\nAbout Ashland\nAshland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients\ncompany with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and\ngovernance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and\nindustrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy,\nfood and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 2,900\npassionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research\nchemists to talented engineers and plant operators – thrive on developing\npractical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers\nin more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=0H_o1KLHD5EE20p5zo1bLXapMMOlqq2XGhFVbt9cr9kShlzRTbOHB9ZPhS-p5lK46e-b60Qzw-2jFr0PerDFalKW3K7Q30kEviRHIuoULGyoLkdU6gp8R40rzXCoFa0DmvnQbfbTJcyAsMNjdfhL_NpSDULuBUsy3pfnUr_nrWiDUkR015-_8zXEL745HLrvWfS3KnZOF1NBYATS8ALae4of4OxK00oPM9aUdl0pOhQ=) and ashland.com/ESG\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=0H_o1KLHD5EE20p5zo1bLQYX4EkwmU7tPnfjmNIYUOd__S03Yi1BJw8Eb6x0_hbAb-AF3BgYNw6V_7xpQiD8W5wXOJ70wPxyP6rVcQbXuodG5MIZBuE1F8V6O_Z2PlVaXV8jOwU1X-3dxQJVcfO8pqhl6szeD3Bkj9qurHzctwLBqcDuD1jImBUfaGBXzR8p-UC1HtOB19yn-CUuVgQ6NyAM2_s-w522kibYpOa_Uw64BfItnCrUqwFfHfQzNBNuOfr8_ihnsMv4eAcLPfOkwPQOkffkaRM9DtDks5k5mq0=) to\nlearn more.\n\n(™) Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.\n\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION:\n\n Investor Relations:        Media Relations:     \n Sandy Klugman              Carolmarie C. Brown  \n +1 (302) 594-7777          +1 (302) 995-3158    \n sandy.klugman@ashland.com  ccbrown@ashland.com  \n\n\n\nAttachments\n*     Ashland permexa™ sodium caprate\n(https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/1efc15c3-c5d3-4802-b1bd-92482ba3304c)\n  \n*     Press_Release_Global_Permexa_Launch_FNL_20260824\n(https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/2003119c-c868-46ae-b3ce-2e063afa7d2f)\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24cfa4cf-fe99-42ca-8e33-f40977c61b89)\nAshland permexa™ sodium caprate \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1efc15c3-c5d3-4802-b1bd-92482ba3304c/en)\nAshland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch\nof permexa™ sodium caprate to support the scalable development and\ncommercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug\nproducts, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic\npipelines.\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX8tbc2L","title":"Ashland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch of permexa™ sodium caprate","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"ASH","created":"2026-08-24T11:00:00.530Z","tickers":["ASH"],"exchange":"NYSE","article_body":"WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH),\nis announcing the launch of permexa™ sodium caprate, a high-performance\nintestinal permeation enhancer designed to support the scalable development\nand commercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug\nproducts, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic\npipelines. \n\nThe launch comes at a time of significant market momentum in oral peptide and\nbiologics development. Pharmaceutical companies continue to invest heavily in\noral alternatives to injectable therapies, driven by the potential to improve\npatient convenience, enhance treatment adherence and unlock new therapeutic\nopportunities. As a result, pipelines across GLP-1’s, diabetes and weight\nloss, metabolic disorders, endocrine therapeutics and other peptide-based\nmedicines continue to expand. \n\nDevelopers continue to face important challenges as programs move from concept\nthrough development and manufacturing, despite growing investment and\nencouraging clinical progress. Permeability enhancement remains critical for\noral drug products, but formulation consistency, process robustness and\nscalability are increasingly recognized as key barriers to successful\ncommercialization. \n\nAshland permexa™ sodium caprate was engineered to help address these\nchallenges by combining established sodium caprate functionality with improved\npharmaceutical processing performance. The excipient is designed with an\nIP-protected process to support more robust tablet manufacturing through\nimproved powder flow, enhanced compressibility and greater formulation\nconsistency, while maintaining the permeability enhancement characteristics\nrequired for oral drug delivery applications. The result is a solution\nintended not only for laboratory success, but also for real-world\npharmaceutical development and manufacturing environments where\nreproducibility, scalability and process robustness are essential. \n\nThe Ashland launch follows strong interest from pharmaceutical developers\nworldwide. Ahead of the commercial launch, the company recorded engagement\nwith multiple pharmaceutical, biotech and CDMO organizations globally,\nspanning sampling activities, technical evaluations, pre-launch sales,\nbenchmarking studies and formulation development discussions. Customer\nfeedback has been overwhelmingly positive on the product’s differentiated\nproperties. \n\n“The rapid growth of oral peptide development is creating demand for\nexcipients that support both biological performance and pharmaceutical\nmanufacturability,” said Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and\ngeneral manager, Life Sciences, Ashland. “Permexa™ sodium caprate was\nengineered to help customers address complex challenges and move more\nconfidently from formulation through commercialization. The level of\nengagement we have seen prior to launch demonstrates the importance of\nsolutions that support both drug delivery performance and scalable\nmanufacturing.” \n\nCaroline Cooreman, strategy director, Life Sciences, Ashland, continued,\n“Consequently, Ashland is not stopping here. We have developed a multi-stage\nstrategy to support the pharmaceutical market with essential excipients for\nthe oral delivery of biologics. We have multiple additional products in\nthe pipeline and recognize important synergies with our vinyl pyrrolidone and\nderivatives (VP&D) portfolio. We are already actively servicing this market\nwith our established VP&D portfolio, which will be further strengthened by our\noral biologics’ portfolio expansion,” she concluded.\n\nFor more information about Permexa™ sodium caprate and how the expanded\nAshland portfolio of solutions for oral biologics delivery—including product\ninformation, technical support and sampling opportunities— interested\nparties should visit http://ashland.com/permexa  or contact their local\nAshland solver. \n\nFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of\nSection 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the\nSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ashland has identified some of\nthese forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,”\n“believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “is likely,”\n“predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “objectives,” “may,”\n“will,” “should,” “plans” and “intends” and the negative of\nthese words or other comparable terminology. Ashland may from time to time\nmake forward-looking statements in its Annual Report to Stockholders,\nquarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange\nCommission (“SEC”), news releases and other written and oral\ncommunications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland’s\nexpectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made,\nregarding Ashland’s future operating performance and financial condition,\nits strategy as well as the economy and other future events or circumstances.\n\nThe risks and uncertainties we face which may cause our actual results to\ndiffer materially from the results expressed, projected, or implied in these\nforward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Ashland’s\naggressive growth goals and the extent to which such goals may be impacted by\na failure to optimize our tangible and intangible assets, a failure to\nidentify and integrate acquisition targets, any unexpected costs and\nliabilities associated with such acquisitions, and goodwill impairment;\nbusiness disruptions stemming from natural, operational, and other\ncatastrophic events, including disruptions to supply and logistics functions,\nmanufacturing delays, and information technology system and network failures;\nclimate change and related resource impacts; changes in consumer preferences\nand a reduction in demand for Ashland’s products; risks inherent in\noperating a global business, including tariffs and other trade policies,\ngeopolitical instability and armed conflict, and challenges associated with\nhiring and managing a diverse workforce across countries with differing laws,\nregulations, and cultural practices; economic downturns and disruptions in the\nfinancial markets; Ashland’s substantial indebtedness, including the\npossibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may\nadversely affect our future cash flows, limit our ability to repay debt and\nobtain future financing, place Ashland at a competitive disadvantage, and make\nus more vulnerable to interest rate increases; our ability to develop and\nmarket new products and remain competitive in the markets in which we operate;\nour ability to pass increases in the costs of energy and raw materials to\ncustomers and to fulfill our contractual requirements with customers and\nvendors; downward pressures on prices and margins; the ability to attract and\nretain key employees and to provide for effective succession planning;\ncybersecurity risks, including disruptions to or failures in Ashland’s\ninformation technology systems and networks, malicious cyberattacks, and the\ninadvertent or accidental disclosure or loss of proprietary or sensitive\ninformation; Ashland’s ability to effectively protect and enforce its\nintellectual property rights; exposure to products liability claims; risks\nrelated to compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations,\nincluding the potential for costly litigation, remediation, and settlement\nactions; exposure to pending and threatened asbestos-related litigation;\nchanges in the legal and regulatory landscapes in which we operate; and\nchanges in taxation or adverse tax rulings. These risks and uncertainties also\ninclude, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in Item 1A.\n“Risk Factors” of Ashland’s most recent Form 10-K, and in our other\nperiodic reports filed with the SEC. Ashland believes its expectations and\nassumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the\nexpectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required,\nAshland undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking\nstatements made in this presentation whether as a result of new information,\nfuture events or otherwise. Information on Ashland’s website is not\nincorporated into or a part of this presentation.\n\nAbout Ashland\nAshland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients\ncompany with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and\ngovernance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and\nindustrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy,\nfood and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 2,900\npassionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research\nchemists to talented engineers and plant operators – thrive on developing\npractical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers\nin more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=0H_o1KLHD5EE20p5zo1bLXapMMOlqq2XGhFVbt9cr9kShlzRTbOHB9ZPhS-p5lK46e-b60Qzw-2jFr0PerDFalKW3K7Q30kEviRHIuoULGyoLkdU6gp8R40rzXCoFa0DmvnQbfbTJcyAsMNjdfhL_NpSDULuBUsy3pfnUr_nrWiDUkR015-_8zXEL745HLrvWfS3KnZOF1NBYATS8ALae4of4OxK00oPM9aUdl0pOhQ=) and ashland.com/ESG\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=0H_o1KLHD5EE20p5zo1bLQYX4EkwmU7tPnfjmNIYUOd__S03Yi1BJw8Eb6x0_hbAb-AF3BgYNw6V_7xpQiD8W5wXOJ70wPxyP6rVcQbXuodG5MIZBuE1F8V6O_Z2PlVaXV8jOwU1X-3dxQJVcfO8pqhl6szeD3Bkj9qurHzctwLBqcDuD1jImBUfaGBXzR8p-UC1HtOB19yn-CUuVgQ6NyAM2_s-w522kibYpOa_Uw64BfItnCrUqwFfHfQzNBNuOfr8_ihnsMv4eAcLPfOkwPQOkffkaRM9DtDks5k5mq0=) to\nlearn more.\n\n(™) Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.\n\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION:\n\n Investor Relations:        Media Relations:     \n Sandy Klugman              Carolmarie C. Brown  \n +1 (302) 594-7777          +1 (302) 995-3158    \n sandy.klugman@ashland.com  ccbrown@ashland.com  \n\n\n\nAttachments\n*     Ashland permexa™ sodium caprate\n(https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/1efc15c3-c5d3-4802-b1bd-92482ba3304c)\n  \n*     Press_Release_Global_Permexa_Launch_FNL_20260824\n(https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/2003119c-c868-46ae-b3ce-2e063afa7d2f)\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24cfa4cf-fe99-42ca-8e33-f40977c61b89)\nAshland permexa™ sodium caprate \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1efc15c3-c5d3-4802-b1bd-92482ba3304c/en)\nAshland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch\nof permexa™ sodium caprate to support the scalable development and\ncommercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug\nproducts, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic\npipelines.\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-24T11:00:00.741531378Z","server_sent_at_ms":1787569200741},"received_at":"2026-08-24T11:00:00.792Z","source_url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/08/24/3349618/0/en/ashland-advances-high-growth-oral-biologics-delivery-applications-with-launch-of-permexa-sodium-caprate.html"},"analysis":{"id":"114683","press_release_id":"125740","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Chemicals","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"product_launch","narrative":"Ashland launched permexa™ sodium caprate, an intestinal permeation enhancer designed to support the scalable development of oral peptide and biologic products, including GLP-1 agonists.\n\nThe product uses an IP-protected process to improve powder flow and compressibility, addressing key manufacturing barriers in oral biologics commercialization.\n\nManagement reported strong pre-launch engagement from pharmaceutical developers and indicated a multi-stage strategy to expand its oral biologics portfolio.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Ashland expands oral biologics portfolio with permexa™ launch to capture GLP-1 market growth."},"keyFigures":null,"quotedText":"The rapid growth of oral peptide development is creating demand for excipients that support both biological performance and pharmaceutical manufacturability","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Alessandra Faccin","role":"Senior Vice President and General Manager, Life Sciences"},{"name":"Caroline Cooreman","role":"Strategy Director, Life Sciences"}],"products":["permexa™ sodium caprate","vinyl pyrrolidone and derivatives (VP&D)"],"companies":[{"name":"Ashland Inc.","ticker":"ASH"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Routine product launch of a specialized ingredient (excipient) targeting the high-growth GLP-1 market. While strategically positive for the Life Sciences segment, it is not a material binary event or a near-term revenue driver for the whole company."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"ASH"},"globalImportance":25,"audienceRelevance":20,"eventTypeSecondary":["operations_update"],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"mid_cap","marketTrend":"GLP-1","eventGravity":"ingredient_launch","sectorWeight":"Materials"}},"event_type":"product_launch","event_type_secondary":["operations_update"],"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Ashland launched permexa™ sodium caprate, an intestinal permeation enhancer designed to support the scalable development of oral peptide and biologic products, including GLP-1 agonists.\n\nThe product uses an IP-protected process to improve powder flow and compressibility, addressing key manufacturing barriers in oral biologics commercialization.\n\nManagement reported strong pre-launch engagement from pharmaceutical developers and indicated a multi-stage strategy to expand its oral biologics portfolio.","key_figures":null,"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Alessandra Faccin","role":"Senior Vice President and General Manager, Life Sciences"},{"name":"Caroline Cooreman","role":"Strategy Director, Life Sciences"}],"products":["permexa™ sodium caprate","vinyl pyrrolidone and derivatives (VP&D)"],"companies":[{"name":"Ashland Inc.","ticker":"ASH"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-4.7","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-08-24T11:07:21.564Z","global_importance":25,"audience_relevance":20,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"mid_cap","marketTrend":"GLP-1","eventGravity":"ingredient_launch","sectorWeight":"Materials"}},"durationMs":25466,"modelName":"glm-4.7"}}