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News: DSM Earns Sustainability Award

02/09/2011

DSM Pharmaceutical Products was recognized in the category of “Product, Process and Green Innovations” at InformexUSA, where the award was announced yesterday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

DSM was considered based on its corporate commitment and ongoing innovations in pharmaceutical manufacturing for the sustainable, cost-effective production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates. In 2010, as part of this continued commitment, DSM launched InnoSyn route scouting services in response to the increasing interest of pharmaceutical customers to outsource the development of robust low-cost manufacturing routes. DSM’s route scouting capabilities can lead to significant cost savings and a better environmental footprint by the reduction of synthesis steps or redesign of synthesis routes using “innovative synthesis”.

DSM’s InnoSyn route scouting supports the research and development initiatives of pharmaceutical companies by integrating the full range of DSM competencies such as biocatalysis, homogeneous catalysis, micro reactor technology and other advanced synthesis methods that speed up feasibility studies. DSM’s rapid screening and scale-up also provide robust, cost-effective ‘next generation’ manufacturing solutions important for drug life cycle management focusing on cost reduction. In October 2010, DSM was recognized with a European Outsourcing Award for “Most Improved Process” with the submission of a customer success story entitled, “Achieving substantial carbon dioxide footprint reduction for the scale up of a drug intermediate”, in which DSM identified a faster, 3-step route with the same reliability and stable quality as the original 7-step process, with a carbon footprint reduction of over 50%.
 
Alexander Wessels, President and CEO of DSM Pharmaceutical Products, stated “DSM is committed to continuous innovation to provide ever more-efficient and sustainable alternatives, and we are proud to offer such viable manufacturing solutions for the future of pharmaceuticals. As a manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical industry, we make acommitment to employ expertise across our organization to achieve success for our unique customer challenges. DSM is driving sustainability for both small and large molecule production. Route scouting is part of DSM’s “green chemistry toolbox” which also integrates process intensification activities, such as micro reactor technology, that increase yield and reduce waste for small molecules. And we apply similar concepts in biotechnological manufacturing with our XD and Rhobust technologies that minimize production volumes and process steps, resulting in higher plant utilization and less labor. Additionally, we are employing DSM’s microbial fermentation for a range of enzyme production.”

Luca Mantovani, President and Business Unit Director of DSM Pharma Chemicals, explained, “A large number of complex chemical steps need to take place in traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing. Optimizing first generation and next generation processes by driving down the cost curve is crucial for the commercial success of pharmaceutical compounds – both those new to the market and those being considered for life cycle extension.”
 
DSM also exhibited as part of InformexUSA and gave two presentations on "(Bio)Catalyst screening for faster design of sustainable manufacturing routes” and "Turning Green Chemistry and Sustainability into Business Drivers." The Profiles in Sustainability awards are given by United Business Media Limited, a global business media company and parent of InformexUSA.