Integration of Biocatalytic Processes

Biocatalysis has been established as an enviroiunentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical processes in the pharmaceutical industry in the recent decade. Advances in recombinant DNA and genomics technologies, protein and metabolic engineering, as well as bioinformatics are critical in the discovery and development of biocatalysts for industrial processes. Significant progress has also been made in our ability to design biocatalytic cascades and to combine them with traditional chemocatalytic routes. The opportunities and combinations are endless. 

Continued technological and conceptual advances in these areas will help address current synthetic challenges and realize the full potential of biocatalysts for drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Biopharmaceutical research and development The process behind new medicines. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America 2015 Available from http //www.phrma.org/sites/default/files/pdf/rd brochure 022307.pdf (accessed January 6, 2015). 

Huisman, G.W. and S.J. Collier, On the development of new biocatalytic processes for practical pharmaceutical synthesis. Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol., 2013.17(2) 284-292. 

Munoz Solano, D., et al.. Industrial biotransformations in the S5mthesis of building blocks leading to enantiopure drugs. Bioresour. Technol., 2012.115 196-207. 

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