AMRI Deal a Catalyst for Pharma Growth says Codexis

By Gareth Macdonald

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Amri Pharmacology

AMRI Deal a Catalyst for Pharma Growth says Codexis
AMRI Deal a Catalyst for Pharma Growth says Codexis
AMRI has teamed up with biocatalysis firm Codexis to develop cheaper, faster and greener ways of manufacturing APIs.

Under the non-exclusive deal – financial terms of which were not disclosed – AMRI will assess biocatalysis enzymes produced by Codexis using its Codeevolver platform for application in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and intermediate production.

Pete Michels, senior director of biocatalysis at AMRI, told in-Pharmatechnologist.com that although Codexis is only one of a number of firms whose enzymes the contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) is assessing, the firm had been impressed by what it has seen so far.

We’ve found that the new generation of Codexis biocatalysts provide the best biocatalyst screening libraries for general synthetic use. AMRI is particularly impressed with the flexibility and fit with process goals and timelines​.”

AMRI will assess the biocatalysts for use in the manufacture of APIs, intermediates and drug metabolites at its facilities in Albany and Syracuse continued Michels, adding that the firm will look at improving processes for both new and existing supply contracts.

Of course [changes to] any existing routes would need to be validated and registered with FDA. The practical path for doing this for processes using biocatalysis is clear, and increasingly demonstrated through several recent FDA approvals, such as sitagliptin and atorvastatin​.”

Pharma catalyst for growth

For Codexis the deal is all about expanding its presence in the drug industry according to Peter Seufer-Wasserthal, SVP of the firm’s pharmaceutical business.

The main benefit for Codexis is that our products will be used in many more projects than we could do on our own. Working with a company like AMRI will help fill the opportunity pipeline for commercial supply of enzymes going forward.”

Codexis’ focus has changed in recent months following the end of its biofuel R&D agreement with Royal Dutch Shell last year​. Since then the firm has repeatedly called its pharma business a key growth catalyst, which is something that Seufer-Wasserthal reiterated.

The relationship with AMRI is seen as a growth opportunity for Codexis to further strengthen our footprint in the pharmaceutical industry​,” he said, adding that “the pharma business at Codexis has grown over the last year and relationships like this will help accelerate this growth​.”

Codexis' current roster of drug industry customers include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries​, Merck & Co​, Dishman and Ampac 

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Increasing the Bioavailability of Oncology Drugs

Increasing the Bioavailability of Oncology Drugs

Content provided by Lonza Small Molecules | 13-Nov-2023 | White Paper

Oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a class of cancer drugs that can be highly susceptible to issues with solubility in the gastrointestinal tract

Efficient Freezing & Storage of Biopharmaceuticals

Efficient Freezing & Storage of Biopharmaceuticals

Content provided by Single Use Support | 06-Nov-2023 | White Paper

Various options exist for freezing biopharmaceutical bulk material, but selecting the most effective and efficient approach for each cold chain can be...

Manufacturing Drugs with Highly Potent APIs

Manufacturing Drugs with Highly Potent APIs

Content provided by Altasciences | 28-Sep-2023 | White Paper

In this issue of The Altascientist, we examine the critical considerations for the safe and compliant manufacture of drugs with highly potent APIs (HPAPIs),...

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars