Catalysis Meets Synthesis – Integrated Early Phase Development of APIs and Other Compounds

In this webinar you’ll learn about combining high throughput experimentation with the concept of modular ligand design for early phase development of APIs (and other compounds).  

The catalysis team at Solvias has been at the forefront of making the latest scientific findings available for the development of commercial catalytic processes and to integrate them into early phase development. Even though vast progress has been made to gain detailed insight into catalytic transformations, even beyond asymmetric hydrogenation (hydrofunctionalization, asymmetric reduction couplings), the global “best” catalyst is still unpredictable. 

Therefore, the combination of a high throughput experimentation (HTE) platform with the concept of modular ligand design represents a highly efficient strategy for the development of various homogeneously catalyzed transformations (i.e. asymmetric hydrogenation, C-C, and C-X cross-couplings, asymmetric C-C bond formations, etc). Subsequent downstream optimization (isolation, telescoping, catalyst removal) and embedding these catalytic steps into process research and early phase development activities are crucial in order to perform the non-GMP and GMP manufacturing of APIs on a milligram to multi-kilogram scale. These skills represent a key step towards applied industrial catalysis. 

Solvias’ areas of technical expertise cover almost any catalytic transformation which can be implemented in the life science and fine chemicals industry. Furthermore, through analytical support (method development and validation) and crystallization development (polymorphism screens and salt formation), Solvias is able to assist in the development of a scalable, robust production process.

The usefulness of catalytic methodologies for larger-scale production is closely associated not only with the streamlining of the process itself (catalyst loading, accessibility of key starting materials, temperature, safety, volume efficiency, etc.) but also with the commercial availability of catalysts consisting of precatalysts and ligands. Easy handling (crystallinity), storability (stability) and availability in large amounts (scalability) are mandatory factors for successful, industrially relevant ligands. Following the concept of modularity, Solvias explores the consistent expansion of its ligand portfolio. 

The new and large variety of modular (chiral) ligands has, in turn, led to unprecedented findings in academia. For example, the employment of these ligands has facilitated new advancements in the mono-arylation of ammonia and acetone. More precisely, the application of ferrocenyl bis-phosphine ligands has enabled significant progress in substrate scope, reaction conditions, as well as catalyst costs and availability. In this webinar, featured speakers will present practical examples of these ligands and their applications in integrated early phase development.

Speakers

Johannes Schranck, PhD, Leading Scientist, Catalysis, Solvias AG

Johannes Schranck obtained a M.Sc. in chemistry at the University of Rostock in northern Germany. He conducted his Ph.D. studies in the group of Prof. Matthias Beller at the Leibniz-Institute for Catalysis (Germany) as well as with Prof. Mark Stradiotto at Dalhousie University (Canada). In 2014, he joined the catalysis group of Solvias in Basel, Switzerland where he is currently working as leading scientist and project manager.

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Jürgen Rotzler, PhD, Head Operations BU LSP, Solvias AG

Jürgen is an organic synthetic chemist by training with a background in natural product synthesis, custom synthesis and phosphine ligand synthesis. After his PhD in the group of Prof. M. Mayor (molecular daisy chains, torsion angle restricted biaryls) and postdoctoral research in the group of J. Leighton (EF-fragment Spongistatin 1), he started his industrial career as a customer project leader at Solvias in 2013. Meanwhile he moved up the ranks with responsibilities for the ligand business as leading scientist & product manager in 2017 and as head operations with responsibilities for the entire business unit “Ligands & Specialty Products” since 2018.

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