Biocatalysis for the manufacture of pharma intermediates

The major goal of our research is the development of synthetically useful selective biotransformations using microbial enzymes by combining natural and non-natural conditions. Biotransformations to be used in pharmaceutical manufacturing has been studied. Examples from our work will be presented with regards to these strategies, including different applications: ➢ Selective modification (deacylation and demannosilation) of lipoglycopeptide antibiotics by using hydrolases from actinomycetes. Case study: modification of ramoplanin ➢ Chemo- and enantioselective oxidations for the production of optically pure intermediates to be used for the synthesis of different drugs. Case study: chemoenzymatic synthesis of Captopril® Different techniques have been exploited for improving the selectivity and/or productivity of the bioprocesses: reaction engineering, biocatalyst manipulation and reactor engineering.