System Development/Field Test/ Commercialization

Plant cell fermentation (PCF®) synthetic method to produce paclitaxel, the active substance in Taxol. Paclitaxel is conventionally produces from a precursor extracted from the European yew tree. Isolating paclitaxel kills the tree during extraction because it requires stripping the bark. Yew bark also does not contain much of the precursor. BMS has developed a new method to manufacture the precursor through PCF®. The system uses renewable nutrients (sugars and amino acids) and operates under controlled conditions at ambient temperatures and pressures.

New process for the manufacturing of sertraline, the active ingredient of Zoloft®. Sertraline is traditionally manufactured through a three-step streamlined process. This process is relatively wasteful and has low efficiency. Pfizer has developed a new single-step manufacturing process with environmental and human safety improvements, high yields, and an extremely pure product. Using a new palladium catalyst reduces the use of raw materials. The process has better reagents economy and improved cost-efficiency. 

New synthetic methodology for ganciclovir, the main active component in Cytovene®. The conventional production process of ganciclovir was very wasteful and involved environmentally hazardous chemicals. CordenPharma Colorado developed the Guanine Triester (GTE) Process, a new method that climates the production of hazardous solid waste. This novel process introduces a recycling process of total recovery for 80% of inputs. The overall process is also more cost-efficient as it requires less monitoring and transportation of hazardous chemicals.

New pathway to bisnoraldehyde (BNA) from waste soya bean residues. The original route to BNA uses heavy metal catalysts that generate toxic waste, which is harmful to human health and the environment. This novel route to BNA from soya bean residues uses bleach and a catalyst cofactor system. This new process generates a nontoxic, aqueous waste stream and recoverable organic solvents that can be reused. The process also avoids toxic reagents.

New Pregabalin manufacturing process. The original manufacturing process for Pregabalin was inefficient and produced nonrecyclable enantiomer as a byproduct. This new manufacturing process enables recycling of enantiomer, increasing product yields and the life cycle of raw materials; this significantly reduces the amount of raw materials required and generated waste. It also requires less organic solvents that pose health concerns.

New Celecoxib manufacturing process. The traditional Celcoxib manufacturing process required recrystallization, which lead to yield losses. This new process eliminates the recrystallization step and allows for final isolation directly from the reaction mixture; this increases efficiency and reduces waste. This process also replaces organic solvents with water.

Biodegradable chelating agents. Chelating agents (NTA and EDTA) are used in industrial, domestic, and agricultural industries for complex metals. Traditional chelating agents are not biodegradable and accumulate in aquatic systems, harming human health and the environment. Aquapharm has made biodegradable chelates with applications in industrial cleaning, food processing, personal care, kitchen cleaning, textiles, water treatment, automatic dishwashing, and pulp and paper. One of Aquapharm's chelants, GLDA, is a viable substitute for NTA and EDTA.

Custom enzymes for biopharma, fine chemicals, cosmetics, and other industries. This company generates novel enzyme-based biocatalysts for industrial and white biotechnology applications. Currently, they have made over 50 enzymes, including innovative lipases, beta-lactamases, peroxidases, and other enzymes. Enzymes are an alternative to complex synthesis steps as they only require a single biocatalytic step that reduces energy and chemical consumption by enabling chemical reactions to occur at lower temperatures.