Embracing green chemistry for sustainable API development and manufacturing
By Matt Hancock, Director of Business Management, API, Thermo Fisher Scientific
July 16, 2024 by Staff Writer (9 minute read)
Category | Small molecule
The path from preclinical research to commercialization in API drug development is challenging. Every compound that reaches the market begins with thousands of compounds in preclinical stages. This high-risk journey often means that sustainability considerations are overlooked in early development phases, where initial routes are typically diverse, non-scalable, and wasteful.
However, this is precisely when sustainable practices should be initiated. Early-stage development, despite its inherent risks and uncertainties, is the critical period for embedding green principles. This proactive approach not only reduces environmental impact but also lays the foundation for scalable and cost-effective processes as the compound progresses through clinical phases.
Applying green chemistry and circular economy principles
Green chemistry principles provide a robust framework for sustainable development. By adopting a circular economy approach in our API development at Thermo Fisher Scientific, we ensure that resources are reused and recycled as much as possible, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. This involves not just adopting green practices but also ensuring a return on investment for our clients, making the process both environmentally and economically sustainable.
Key aspects of this approach include reducing waste, optimizing the use of resources, and improving the efficiency of chemical processes. This requires meticulous planning and innovative solutions, particularly in solvent usage and recycling.
Tackling solvent impact
Solvents play a crucial role in chemical reactions but also pose significant environmental challenges. To mitigate their impact, we focus on reducing solvent usage and improving recycling processes. Evaluating solvents carefully, considering their recyclability, and developing strategies for solvent recovery are essential steps.
At our Linz, Austria site, we have implemented a systematic approach to solvent recycling and purification. This involves thermodynamic modeling, multiscale simulations, and experimental validations to ensure the efficacy of our recycling processes. The results have been promising: in 2019, we recycled 5,000 tons of material, and by 2023, we had saved 1,540 tons through improved solvent recycling techniques.
The road ahead
Sustainability in drug development is a complex but essential goal. By embedding green principles early in the development process, optimizing solvent usage, and continually innovating our practices, we are committed to making the pharmaceutical industry more sustainable.
Watch this presentation from CPHI North America to learn more about Thermo Fisher’s approach to sustainable API development and manufacturing.
