Merck & Co. has developed a “continuous process” to produce KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), an immunotherapy drug that increases the immune system to detect and fight tumor cells. In the new process developed by Merck, proteins are filtered away from the cells continuously rather than performing a one-time filtration step at the end of a batch.
This advancement significantly increases the yield of pembrolizumab per reactor volume while reducing the facility's footprint, as it requires smaller equipment. Merck reports that this continuous process cuts energy consumption by 4.5 times, water use by 4 four times, and raw material usage by half. It also optimizes the efficiency of consumables such as filters and minimizes waste, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact.EPA
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 2024 Greener Synthetic Pathways Award
