Dr Sridhar Pratha and Dr Mohammad Younus Khan of Axplora reflect on the development of a second-generation API process with a focus on improved sustainability metrics
PHARMACEUTICALS
Development of greener secondgeneration processes : The search for efficiency
Dr Sridhar Pratha and Dr Mohammad Younus Khan of Axplora reflect on the development of a second-generation API process with a focus on improved sustainability metrics
Sustainability has become an essential component of pharmaceutical manufacturing practices in recent years . 1 It encompasses the entire product lifecycle , from drug development to generics , and aims to ensure that medicines are accessible , affordable and sustainable for all populations . Customers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions and this is affecting their choices . 2 In response , manufacturers are making strides to lower their environmental impact through product lifecycle management , waste management , and implementing more sustainable manufacturing practices . 3
Sustainability & ESG
Corporate social responsibility is Axplora ’ s voluntary approach to achieving its environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) objectives . With its expertise in process optimisation , the company helps its customers to develop greener production processes for their products and contributes to achieving their sustainability targets by proposing alternative , more efficient processes .
The development of secondgeneration processes needs to take into consideration the use of atomefficient routes of manufacturing , the evaluation of the environmental
Aerial view of Axplora ’ s Vizag site
impact of the solvents , the possibility of recovering or recycling solvents and the selection of more efficient technologies . Metrics that enable us to measure process efficiency and sustainability , such as process mass intensity ( PMI ) and E-factor , are now widely available and must be calculated and evaluated at all stages of the process lifecycle .
A continuous improvement programme can help manufacturers to identify areas where efficiency can be improved and implement changes to improve performance over time . This can include conducting regular assessments of manufacturing processes , implementing training programmes to improve employee skills and using feedback from customers and suppliers to identify opportunities for improvement .
Axplora has implemented continuous process improvement programmes , evaluating new , more efficient routes of synthesis to support internal programmes and customer requests . Making the most of our differentiating technologies ( electrochemistry , energetic chemistry , biocatalysis , flow chemistry , etc .) and competencies available across our manufacturing footprint , we identify and develop second-generation processes with a view towards sustainability and improved cost-efficiency .
MAR / APR 2024 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
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