View Original

Highlights

Inauguration ceremony of Asymchem “Center of Biosynthesis Technology”

On March 1, the inauguration ceremony of Asymchem’s “Center of Biosynthesis Technology” was held successfully.  With the continuous growth of our core business, this biosynthesis technology center will further promote application of a variety of technologies such as biocatalysis and biosynthesis, and take full advantage of current industry trend to create high growth business opportunities.

Mr. Weidong Way, vice mayor of Tianjin visited Asymchem

On March 5, Mr. Weidong Wang, vice mayor of Tianjin, along with other leaders from the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, and the Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, visited Asymchem. The distinguished group met with senior leaders of Asymchem and had an in-depth discussion to gain full understanding of company’s operation and philosophy.  The delegation also provided guidance on solving challenges met during companies fast growth. Mr. Wang believes that Asymchem, as one of the outstanding enterprises in Tianjin, has developed into a leading global CDMO company and set a great example of providing invaluable service in new drug development and production through continuous innovation and relentless efforts.

Asymchem Awarded “Project Excellence Award” by Mersana

Recently, Asymchem received a “Project Excellence Award” from Mersana Therapeutics for its outstanding performance which is critical for Mersana’s  timely and successful completion of process validation for a complex molecule. During project execution, Aymchem’s Chemical Macro Molecule Development team solved numerous technical challenges and further optimized manufacturing process.  These improvements pave the way to allow this complicated validation project to be completed in 8 months, 4 months ahead of the original schedule.  Mersana stated, “We are impressed by and appreciate the dedication and great effort from all team members at Asymchem. We are glad to see our communication was even improved without any Mersana personnel being on-site due to COVID 19.”

Technology Updates

Asymchem JACS Publication on Development of Electrochemical Reduction Coupling Reactions of Olefins and Ketones

Recently, Asymchem published a paper titled “Electroreductive Olefin-Ketone Coupling” in JACS (Journal of the American Chemical Society), which is one of the leading academic journals in chemistry. This breakthrough in electro-mechanical chemical synthesis was achieved by Asymchem’s Center of Excellence for Process Science in collaboration with Dr. Phil S. Baran’s group at the Scripps Research Institute and Prof. Minteer’s group at the University of Utah. This team successfully solved the challenges of low synthesis efficiency associated with this type of transformation via traditional reactions. The process is not only simple to operate, but also has great potential and values for very broad ranges of application. Asymchem has continued to cultivate the development and application of advanced green manufacturing technologies over the years, and has published several related articles in top industry journals such as Nature, Science, Chemistry-A European Journal, and JACS, and has been granted several patents. The development of the electrochemical reduction coupling process for inactive ketones and olefins will continue to promote the application of electrochemistry in API synthesis and supports the trend toward more eco-friendly solutions in the industry.

Patent Granted: “Ketoreductase Mutant and its Application”

The patent of “Ketoreductase mutant and its application” developed by Asymchem was granted (No. CN108048417B). The new ketoreductase developed by enzyme evolution technology is highly stable, especially tolerant to acetone and isopropyl alcohol.  It significantly simplified system, results in cost reduction in the preparation of chiral hydroxyheterocyclic substances.  It could also be used in the biosynthesis of thiopenan side chain R-3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and R-3-hydroxytetrahydrothiophene.   Chiral purity of the alcohol products are extremely high with e.e. values as high as 99.6% and 99.8%, respectively.

Patent Granted: “L-amino acid ligase Slal, its preparation method and application”

The patent of “L-amino acid ligase Slal, its preparation method and application” developed by Asymchem was granted (No. CN 111440777B). It was discovered by screening through gene mining for an efficient amino acid ligase, which has a wide substrate spectrum and can be applied to synthesize a variety of homo- and heterotypic dipeptides.

Patent Granted:  “Synthetic Column for RNA and DNA Synthesis and its system”

Asymchem’s patent of “Synthetic Column for RNA and DNA Synthesis and its system” was granted (No. CN212640460U). This practical invention is suitable for the synthetic column of RNA and DNA. It features great flexibility and is easy to assemble. It could be used to prepare a wide variety of oligonucleotides, while reducing the waste from solid phase carrier CPG. It also minimizes in-homogeneity of reagents in the column resulted from fluid flow pattern which improves the overall stability of the liquid phase in the column.  As a result, column efficiency, life span and overall cost efficiency could be greatly improved.

Patent Granted: “Synthesis Method of Degarelix Acetate”

Asymchem’s patent “Synthesis Method of Degarelix Acetate” was granted (No. CN110330552A). This achievement provides an efficient way of making digarelix acetate which effectively avoids many side reactions, low yield and high cost associated with solid phase synthesis.

Patent Granted: “Photochemical synthesis method of heteroaryl amine compounds”

The patent of “Photochemical synthesis method of heteroaryl amine compounds” of Asymchem was granted (No. CN111732535B). This method could achieve catalytic reduction of many different types of nitro heteroaryl compounds under light, obtaining heteroaryl amines in high yields.  Typical photocatalysts are used.  It does not have stringent requirement on instruments and could be easily recycled.  As a result, heteroarylamines could be synthesized much more safely and cost effectively with much higher yield as there is no need for any metal catalysts or reducing agents.  The entire procedure is simple and environmentally friendly.

Fixed Asset Investment

Multiple new construction projects started in Asymchem TJ

To continuously increase production capacity, improve operational efficiency and meet the growing business demands, there are a number of new construction projects are on-going simultaneously at Tianjin sites.  Construction of new API processing building at TJ 3 has completed 55%. Framework of first floor is mostly complete while construction of the 2nd floor already began.  POs of all key equipment are placed and expected delivery date is April of this year.  The completion of this API processing building project will further increase Asymchem’s API production capacity to meet increasing demands for high quality APIs. In addition, Asymchem plans to build additional 1~2 API Buildings in TJ3 focusing on R& D manufacturing of small molecule APIs.  Planning of constructing R&D and manufacturing facility of general purpose and pharmaceutical enzymes at TJ headquarters is underway.

 

Asymchem and Ribo to invest in an oligonucleotide plant

In early 2021, Ribo and Tianjin Haihe Kailaiying Fund signed a partnership agreement to invest in an oligo API capacity construction project for oligonucleotide API kilo-scale commercial production in the West District of Tianjin Technological and Economic Development Area.  Asymchem will provide comprehensive services, including design, construction, management and operation etc. for this project based on the Turn-Key business model. Currently, the project is in design phase and is expected to be in operation by June 2022.

 

Asymchem’s DH1 new plant construction on schedule

Since completion of Building 4 project of Asymchem DH1 site, construction of new buildings 5, 6 and 7 is also on track to further expand the production capacity critical raw materials. Currently, construction of building 5 has completed 93% while building 6 and 7 has completed about 36%.  In the end, the overall production capacity in this category will be increased by approximately 75%, which will ensure the sustainable and steady growth of our performance and revenue.