Research

Research updates

Route development work from our laboratory - shorter sequences, safer reagents and cleaner effluent profiles.

Featured · Route development

A Non-Sedative Imidazole

A short synthesis of Metomidate, Etomidate and Propoxate

  • Metomidate
  • Etomidate
  • Propoxate

Issues with the reported process

  • Reported process contains more than 7 steps.
  • Unsafe reagents such as hydrogen peroxide, potassium thiocyanate and nitric acid are used.
  • Usage of these reagents places a significant burden on effluent.

Our solution

  • Our process involves 4 steps.
  • Cost effective.
  • Ease of isolations with quantitative yield.
  • Non-infringement route.

Etomidate: 134 MT global market volume

Synthetic scheme comparing routes to Metomidate, Etomidate and Propoxate, with the structures of the three imidazole compounds
Synthetic scheme and structures for the three imidazole compounds, as published in our research update.

Research areas

Where our chemistry effort is focused

Route scouting & process methodology

Developing shorter, safer routes with fewer steps and lower effluent burden.

Chiral & peptide chemistry

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis, peptide APIs and un-natural amino acids.

Isotopic & stable-label compounds

Intermediates for deuterated drugs, reference and label compounds.

Green chemistry

Sustainable manufacturing practice and reduced environmental impact.

Characterisation & polymorphs

SXRD, PXRD, Raman, FBRM and real-time reaction monitoring.

Safety studies

DSC to assess shock sensitivity and energy levels, per ICH-Q11.

Capabilities

How we approach a programme

Literature-led route design, backed by in-house analytical characterisation.

CRO / CRAMS / CDMO capability
  • Introduction of functional groups of dropped NCEs; synthesis of competitors' EDC, NCE, ECN and candidates.
  • Library, poly peptides, un-natural amino acids and paid linkers.
  • Identification of pharmacophores from various literature sources, such as patents, publications and ACS journals.
  • Synthesis of compounds through non-conventional sources - organo-metallic catalysts, from VIBGYOR to the visible region (photochemistry).

Research output

  • Intermediates / Advanced Intermediates
  • NCE / Pre-ECN compounds
  • Tox compounds
  • Patents
  • Publications
  • Knowledge Hubs
  • Cores for Libraries
  • Label compounds
  • Reference compounds

Work with us

Collaborate on a research programme

We work with academic and industrial partners on route development, scale-up and characterisation.

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