For process chemists developing Active (Pharmaceutical) Ingredients, route scouting and optimization becomes challenging when synthesis pathways rely on costly starting materials and catalysts, multiple (de-)protection steps, low-yield transformations, or harmful reactions at scale. Transition-metal catalysis and lengthy reaction sequences reduce step economy, throughput, and manufacturability, while limiting opportunities for efficient scale-up.

At Aminoverse, we view a synthesis route through the ‘enzyme lens’. As a result, we may suggest pathways that are

• inaccessible to synthetic chemistry
• relying on cheaper alternative starting materials
• overall shorter leading to lower complexity and higher product yields

But theoretical concepts are not enough – showing it in practice is what counts. Aminoverse supports route scouting efforts with off-the-shelf enzyme panels covering >20 chemical transformations to make sure you looked at the problem from every angle.

One of our projects with a major pharma innovator contained a challenging 5-step route towards a key intermediate for a promising P1 compound. Their ask was simple: Suggest biocatalytic reactions to replace each of the 5 steps. To their surprise, that’s not what we did. Instead, we proposed two novel synthesis routes that integrated a single biocatalytic reaction in their existing yet modified route. The results:

• 5x cheaper alternative starting material
• Overall synthesis steps reduced by three steps
• Selective biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization at an aromatic ring achieved (incredibly challenging
with traditional chemistry)
• Improved process economy and efficiency

We believe the most elegant chemistry is not either synthetic chemistry or biocatalysis, it combines the best of both worlds. We are eager to join forces with expert chemistry teams to develop the most future-proof routes.