Pfizer CentreOne launches Enviero green-chemistry progesterone API

Carbon footprint reduced by more than 70%.

"Enviero green-chemistry progesterone represents a step change in progesterone API synthesis,” said Greg Scanlon, API business lead for Pfizer CentreOne. “And it’s in keeping with Pfizer’s commitment to reduce its impact on the environment.” Developed over 12 years, Enviero progesterone is manufactured via a proprietary biocatalytic process based on plant sterols. Scanlon continued: “We are pleased to offer Enviero progesterone to customers looking for a reliable supply of high-quality progesterone for their medicines."

Validated process

While new to Pfizer CentreOne customers, Enviero progesterone has been used by Pfizer as an intermediate in the manufacture of its own medications for the past 4 years. More than 500 metric tons have been manufactured to date for internal use.

The compound is manufactured exclusively in the US at Pfizer’s Kalamazoo, Michigan, facility. As with all Pfizer CentreOne APIs, all processing steps for Enviero progesterone are performed under Pfizer’s stringent quality management system, and the compound is backed by technical and regulatory support for the life of the product.

Green chemistry

Enviero progesterone is the first API to be launched from Pfizer CentreOne’s green-chemistry program. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, “Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.” Green chemistry is applied at the process level – in this case, API synthesis – to minimize waste and pollution upfront.