selectAZyme™ grows into metabolite synthesis

February 13, 2012

The biocatalyst group at Almac has doubled in size in the last year and is reaping rewards with major business growth in chiral building block supply, evolution and commercial manufacture projects as well as metabolite synthesis. 

“Biocatalysis is now Almac’s first choice for any scale-up chemistry involving chirality resulting in cheaper, cleaner and robust processes” says Head of Biocatalysis, Dr. Tom Moody.

Metabolite synthesis is another tool within the selectAZymeTM service offering that Almac has developed significantly in recent years, providing access to both oxidative and glycosylated products.  Recombinant and microbial P450 and glycosylating technology have been developed for accessing metabolites at mg to 100s grams scale.  These enzymes mimic human systems and are a powerful tool for accessing metabolites rapidly and efficiently, typically in one step from the parent API.

Almac’s biocatalyst technology platform is well represented by the green selectAZymeTM logo emphasising the “green” credentials the technology offers, from medicinal chemistry scaffold and metabolite synthesis through to commercial manufacture.

The application of biocatalysis results in reduced energy costs, lowered impact on the environment and efficient multi-tonne processing in timelines comparable to traditional chemistry.

Future plans involve discovery and development of novel P450 and transaminase enzymes using metagenomic techniques which will significantly enhance and differentiate the portfolio of enzymes currently available to Almac and its customers.

If your process requires “greening” up, contact Almac’s biocatalysis group.

Almac will be exhibiting at the forthcoming Informex trade show, 14 – 17 February at Booth 2001.

Notes to Editors

The Almac Group provides a broad range of services from R&D, biomarker discovery and development, API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply and IXRS® technology (IVRS/IWRS), to commercial-scale manufacture. Almac provides services to more than 600 companies, including all the world leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.

The company employs over 3,300 individuals and is headquartered in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. US operations are based in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and California.

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