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Ecological synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant compounds

28 May 2020
Diane Li
Assistant Editor

Industry news

Uniqsis reports that the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano (Italy) has invested in a FlowLab™ Scale continuous flow reactor to assist them in 'green' chemical synthesis of pharmaceutically-relevant compounds.

The Process Intensification & Flow Chemistry group of Dr. Gianvito Vilé evaluated different commercial flow reactors offering integrated synthesis, work-up and analysis capabilities before selecting a Uniqsis FlowLab™ continuous flow reactor system.

Dr. Gianvito Vilé said “My group uses continuous-flow technologies for the synthesis of pharmaceutically-relevant compounds. Our aim is to apply green chemistry principles to develop novel pharmaceutical compounds that protect human health while minimising impact on the environment. To this end, over the last 8 years, we have been doing pioneering research in the field of flow chemistry, first discovering highly-cited catalytic methods for flow hydrogenations and, later, using flow chemistry for the automated production of libraries for hit-to-lead phase in drug discovery. The investment in a new flow chemistry system was to enable the group to stay at the forefront of ecologically sound pharmaceutical synthesis".

Dr. Vilé added "We were interested in a system which was highly versatile. Having worked with almost every system on the market, I chose the FlowLab™ system due to its favourable cost and competitive specifications. Also, we wanted a flow instrument able to operate at high pressure and temperatures, that could be complemented with low temperature, photochemistry, and electrochemistry modules. Backed by Uniqsis’s strong technical and applications support, the FlowLab™ system was an obvious choice".

Sales Director of Uniqsis, Steve Evans commented “We are delighted to welcome the renowned research group of Dr. Vilé to the growing community of leading academic research labs using the FlowLab™ continuous flow reactor for synthesis of novel pharmaceutical compounds”.

FlowLab is a versatile flow chemistry system and can be configured with up to 4 pump channels with a choice of 10ml/min, or 50ml/min pump heads for higher scale applications. It may also be configured with any combination of up to 4 individual heated/cooled reactor modules. By selecting from the HotCoil™ and HotChip™ heated reactor modules, and the Polar Bear Plus Flow™ and Polar Bear Plus GSM™ cryogenic modules (with an operating range from -40°C to 300°C) the FlowLab offers unrivalled flexibility. The FlowLab can also be integrated with the Uniqsis Flow-UV™ inline UV-VIS spectrophotometer to monitor steady state conditions in real time.

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Data AnalysisData analysis hardware and software is available to make data processing straight-forward yet powerful. Data software can be used for math and stats, technical graphing and image analysis. In addition, software is available for specific data analysis of electrophoresis, densitometry, ELISA and DNA sequencing.Flow Cytometry / Cell CountingFlow cytometers are used to count, sort and examine multiple characteristics of cells. Other cell analysis equipment includes image cytometers, cell counters, fluorescence-activated cell sorters (FACS), magnetic-activated cell sorters (MACS), and a range of flow cytometry assay kits. Flow cytometers can reveal information on cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression, as well as identify cell populations and intracellular or cell-surface molecules. Additionally, some flow cytometers, known as FACS, have an additional sorting function after analysis. Cell counters and image cytometers count live and dead cell populations and can also conduct cell proliferation assays. Find the best flow cytometers, cell counters and cell sorters in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cellular PathologyCellular Pathology deals with the microscopic analysis of tissue samples and cells. Sample preparation and processing includes fixation, staining, sectioning and slide mounting, using equipment such microtomes and cryostats. In choosing immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry kits, consider chromogens, staining method, antibodies, microscopes and imaging.Biopharmaceutical AdvancesBiopharmaceutical advances follow the development of pharmaceuticals derived from biotechnology, also known as biotechnology medicines. Biopharmaceuticals may be produced from cell lines, plants, or microbial cells. Important considerations of biopharmaceutical use include application, cost, production process and purification.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Drug DeliveryDrug Delivery refers to dosage form, route of administration, formulations, technologies, and systems for transporting a pharmaceutical compound in the body as needed to safely achieve its desired therapeutic effect. Drug delivery is often approached via the biopharmaceutical or small molecule drug's formulation, but it may also involve medical devices or drug-device combination products. Considerations include instrumentation, software and services. Flow ChemistryFlow chemistry describes a chemical reaction being carried out continuously rather than in a batch process. The reagents are pumped through a pipe and forced together at a mixing junction, where they are allowed to combine until the reaction is stopped.Environmental AnalysisEnvironmental analysis describes a variety of tests that determine the effect of chemicals, processes and particulates such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have on the environment.PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals are medicinal drugs used in healthcare to diagnose, prevent, cure and treat illnesses. Pharmaceuticals that are excreted after use appear in wastewater and can have detrimental effects on the environment.

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