This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to increase the effectiveness of oxidative enzymes of high potential in chemical synthesis and chemical remediation applications. Enzyme-based systems, the greenest and most energy efficient processes known to-date, are replacing chemical-based systems due to their superior potential for energy savings and environmental benefits. While at the forefront of the green chemistry revolution, however, enzyme-based systems are difficult to come by. Their adoption has not been as fast, as widespread, or as beneficial as it otherwise could be because oxidative enzymes are not cost effective enough to replace chemicals. This project is developing an integrated technology for oxidative enzymes for industrial use. The project objectives consist of (1) manufacturing continuous flow reactors dedicated to processing ZYMtronix?s catalysts, (2) developing a synthesis process for key pharmaceutical precursors used in cancer treatment, and (3) demonstrating the remediation application for industrial contaminants. The anticipated technical results will benchmark reactor characteristics and the catalytic metrics of the aforementioned processes.
The broader commercial potential of this project is to facilitate the adoption of oxidative enzymes in synthesis and remediation applications because they can replace precious metal catalysts, toxic solvents, and energy intensive processes. Additional benefits translate to safer processes and products for manufacturers, consumers and the environment. ZYMtronix patent-pending technology is estimated to be substantially more efficient and cost effective to operate when compared with chemical systems, increasing enzyme activity, decreasing enzyme inhibition, and expanding the enzyme´s range of operable conditions. Combined with proprietary reactors being developed, the catalysts can be recycled for continuous use. ZYMtronix´s technology serves the fine chemicals, pharmaceutical, as well as the water remediation, markets applicable to oxidative enzyme processes.
The goal of our NSF SBIR Phase I/IB project is the commercial development of novel materials and processes for the immobilization of enzymes for industrial biocatalysis. Biocatalysis – the use of enzyme for conversion of chemicals- is a key enabling technology for many industrial sectors and is growing rapidly because, relative to traditional chemistries, it is significantly cheaper and greener. The ZYMtronix project was targeting enzymes to be used in the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical intermediates (API) and bioremediation of toxic environmental chemicals. Despites tremendous biotechnological advances in the optimization and production of enzymes, these industrial proteins are usually not ready for industrial applications until they are immobilized. Immobilization allows end-users to control enzymes for reusability and higher process efficiency. A number of different immobilization methods have been developed at the lab-scale without any one method being more universal than the other. The cost of immobilization materials and chemicals is the main limiting factor because that can represent 35% or more of the cost of the final product – it also usually reduces the enzymatic efficiency. Because of that, only a limited amount of immobilization methods are currently in use in the industry. To enable, ZYMtronix’s technology works by entrapping enzymes in cost effective magnetic matrices at different scale-levels and to quickly screen for the best enzyme combinations and concentrations just as they are needed for manufacturing conditions. Our level-by-level solutions makes oxidative enzymes competitive against chemical or catalytic oxidation that are using rare metals and limits the use of expensive, toxic, or other hazardous chemicals and materials and simultaneously enhances the specificity to the reactions towards target API. Our solution benefits to key players in the pharmaceutical and enzyme industries; the technology is also applicable across fields of biocatalysis such as agricultural, chemical, and environmental industrial sectors. The combination of talents and experience in science, engineering and business development within our team has prepared ZYMtronix to apply for a Phase II program focusing the platform on biocatalysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The proposed Phase II project focuses on ZYMtronix’s green, cost-efficient, customer-oriented, and scalable oxidative immobilized enzymes for drug manufacturing to improve process efficiencies and margins while limiting adverse environmental impacts. ZYMtronix is currently operating from the Mc Govern Business Incubator at Cornell University. We shall use our academic collaborations and industrial network for advice and guidance throughout the rest of the product development phases. ZYMtronix plans to publish results obtained during the Phase I and IB project peer-review journals.
