NCL develops new chemistry in drug production

PUNE: Scientists at the city-based National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) have developed a new chemistry in drug manufacturing, which not only reduces the toxic intake in the body, but is also environment-friendly.
Basically referred to as “green chemistry�, scientist S.P. Chavan said the key step in the manufacturing process was the use of plain water, and not organic solvents, which are harmful to the environment.
“Manufacture of drugs with complex chemical structures typically involves complicated multistep reactions, using hazardous reagents and ecounfriendly solvents,� Chavan explained while speaking to TNN.
Another key feature of this development is the high yield of the purified product, as compared to organic solvents.
“As compared to the 30-40 per cent recovery value of the final purified product using the conventional method, this new reaction can be carried out to nearly 100 per cent yield,� Chavan said, adding that the technique had been awarded two US patents.
While the high-yield route technique has been achieved with new generation anti-depressant Venlafaxine, Chavan said efforts were now on to apply the same technique to other drug molecules.
“We have already received a fairly good response from the pharmaceutical companies, particularly from the local industry,� he said.
Another official of the laboratory said that talks were also on to transfer the technology to pharmaceutical companies.