Johnson Matthey (JM) and Basecamp Research have partnered to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable, bio-based catalysts. Biocatalysts are used across a vast range of synthesis processes to form complex chemical structures in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and fine chemical industries. Biocatalysts are increasingly being adopted due to the important role they play in helping meet the more prominent sustainability goals of these industries. Compared to traditional catalysis, they can be more selective, less energy intensive and reduce the need for organic solvents.
One of the main hurdles to the widespread usage of biocatalysts in organic synthesis is the time-consuming search for suitable enzymes that deliver the desired catalytic performance. This typically involves multiple rounds of protein engineering and analysis.
The press release stated that the partnership between JM and Basecamp will focus on accelerating the process to find the right biocatalyst solutions that small molecule manufacturers can use for new product development. It will improve the quality and scope of biocatalysts available to the market, covering the most critical chemical transformations such as asymmetric reductions of ketones and chiral reductive amination, which are used to produce the fundamental building blocks in organic synthesis.
Dr Elizabeth Rowsell OBE, Chief Technology Officer, Johnson Matthey said, “Over the last decade, Johnson Matthey has grown its biocatalysis capabilities to offer enzyme development, application, process intensification, scale-up and bioprocessing. By partnering with Basecamp Research, we will be able to provide novel enzyme solutions that will benefit our customers in pharmaceutical drug developments and fine chemical synthesis”.
Dr Oliver Vince, Co-founder, Basecamp Research added, “Johnson Matthey is a pioneer in sustainable technologies with a strong expertise in catalysis and process chemistry. Their focus on biocatalysis speaks volumes to their forward-looking, sustainable innovation mindset. Combining Basecamp Research’s unique biodiscovery and bio-design AI platform with JM’s biocatalysis expertise, will help industry take novel products to market more efficiently and sustainably”.
