CPHI Online Trend Report: How can flow chemistry help businesses achieve their sustainability goals?

In our latest CPHI Online Trend Report, we partner with Asymchem to understand the innovative potential of flow chemistry for API manufacturing, especially in regards to meeting sustainability goals. 

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) form the therapeutic base of almost all drug products. Whether they are small molecule synthetic drugs or biologics derived from human, animal, or microorganism biotechnology, the manufacturing of APIs involves a diverse range of complex chemical and/or biological processes. There are a number of aspects to consider regardless of the type of API, as Jon Brice, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Asymchem Group, comments in the report: “Irrespective of the operational motif, the considerations remain the same – control of impurities, a robust process that can be validated, tracking and quantifying impurities, and collecting data on process parameters.” 

Key drivers of API research and manufacturing are in the form of oncology drugs, novel formulations in targeted therapies, and the rise in obesity drugs. One of the most pressing issues for API manufacturers, however, remains balancing sustainability concerns with the safety, quality, and economic viability of their drug products. At each stage of API manufacturing, various solvents, chemicals, and waste products are used and/or produced resulting in a process that is energy and material-intensive. While sustainable operations tend to focus on improving waste reduction, energy efficiency, and greener solvents, there remain untapped opportunities in optimising reaction conditions, reducing the environmental impact of raw materials, and enhancing the overall efficiency of chemical processes, as Senior Scientist at Fraunhofer IMM Gabriele Menges-Flanagan states. 

Flow chemistry technologies may be the next transformational technology manufacturers can take advantage of. Such enhancements to operations include improved control over heat and mass transfer, generation and consumption of reactive intermediates in a safer manner, less impurities generated, and improved overall yields. Flow chemistry is also very versatile and flexible with room to be optimised for the reaction taking place. However, some challenges remain for the full adoption of flow technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing – namely, worker expertise and know-how, as well as regulatory issues around manufacturing practices for flow.  

Despite these continuing challenges, experts agree that flow chemistry can offer a number of benefits for API manufacturing, especially in regards to achieving sustainability goals. “You can expand the scope of such a technology, but the real advantage with flow is using it where appropriate and optimising it to a specific problem,” Brice concludes. 

To find out more about how flow chemistry can support sustainable API manufacturing, download our FREE Trend Report and gain access to leading industry insight.