From Continuous Chromatography to Green Chemistry — Building a Healthier Future

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by a growing recognition of the urgent need for sustainable practices. While progress has been made as a whole, the fact remains that the manufacturing of therapeutic peptides and oligonucleotides (TIDES) presents unique challenges due to its historically resource-intensive nature.

As the demand for TIDES-based therapies continues to surge, the environmental impact of their production is becoming increasingly critical. In this blog, we’ll explore the complexities of sustainable TIDES manufacturing, examine Bachem’s innovative solutions and expound on the broader industry landscape.

The High Cost of Unsustainable Practices

TIDES manufacturing, while essential for developing new lifesaving medications, has traditionally relied on the heavy use of both solvents and energy, generating significant waste. To put the issue into perspective, traditional TIDES manufacturing consumes 46 times more solvent than traditional small-molecule drugs. ¹1 Kekessie, I., Wegner, K., Martinez, I., et al. Process Mass Intensity (PMI): A Holistic Analysis of Current Peptide Manufacturing Processes Informs Sustainability in Peptide Synthesis. The Journal of Organic Chemistry. Published 2024. With the global GLP-1 agonist market projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, the environmental burden of unsustainable TIDES manufacturing practices will only intensify.

Furthermore, complex global supply chains for TIDES manufacturing contribute to inefficiencies and a heightened environmental impact, further complicating sustainability efforts. The question is: Can your business afford the environmental and financial risks of unsustainable practices?

Bachem’s Green Innovations: Pioneering a Sustainable Future

Bachem has long been at the forefront of sustainable TIDES manufacturing, actively developing and implementing innovative solutions to minimize the environmental impact of developing urgently needed medicines. Our groundbreaking multicolumn countercurrent solvent gradient purification (MCSGP) technology, a form of continuous chromatography, achieves a remarkable 30% reduction in solvent use. We are also exploring greener peptide synthesis methods, such as replacing harmful solvents with less impactful alternatives, as discussed in our webinar, “No More DMF: Greener Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis with Binary Solvents.”

Our commitment to research and development fuels continuous advancements in green chemistry and energy efficiency. We actively collaborate with our partners and industry leaders to drive positive change across the pharmaceutical landscape, enabling sustainable peptide production and green chemistry oligonucleotide synthesis. For instance, we are actively exploring liquid phase peptide synthesis (LPPS) as a potential alternative to solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) to further reduce solvent consumption and waste generation.

You can learn more about our large-scale TIDES purification with MCSGP under GMP in our dedicated webinar.

A Holistic Commitment to Sustainability

Bachem’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond process optimization. We embrace and encourage a holistic approach that encompasses every aspect of our operations:

• Responsible sourcing & procurement: We collaborate closely with our trusted suppliers to ensure ethical and sustainable practices:
  • Our Global Code of Conduct for Supplying Partners ensures high sustainability standards are upheld throughout our entire supply chain
• Waste management & reduction: We actively minimize waste generation and prioritize recycling and reuse wherever possible:
  • Our “Reducing Solvent Consumption with Peptide Easy Clean” webinar is a terrific source of insights into our waste reduction strategies
• Energy efficiency & renewable energy: We continuously seek and evaluate opportunities to improve energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy sources:
  • We are also exploring new, less energy-intensive methods to replace freeze-drying in certain processes

Recognition and Goals: Leading the Way

Bachem’s unwavering commitment to sustainability has earned us global recognition, including the prestigious EcoVadis Platinum and Gold. These awards have placed us among the top 1% and 5%, respectively, of the most sustainable companies worldwide.

While we are proud of what we have accomplished thus far, we are dedicated to further reducing our environmental footprint while simultaneously fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce. This is reflected in our 2026 goals, which include:

• Reducing Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 50% per FTE
• Reducing energy consumption by 20% per FTE
• Increase proportion of women in our workforce, upper management and regional executive committees by 10% or more, as compared to 2020

Partnering for a Sustainable Future

Bachem is not merely adapting to the evolving sustainability landscape; we’re actively shaping it. We firmly believe that collaboration is key to building a more sustainable and resilient pharmaceutical industry. With our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and our pioneering spirit, we are the ideal partner for your sustainable TIDES manufacturing needs.

As the demand for TIDES-based therapies continues to grow, so does the urgent need for environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. Bachem’s holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing everything from process optimization and responsible sourcing to energy efficiency, ensures that your products are not only effective but also ethically and sustainably produced.

We understand our role in making medicines more affordable and sustainable. We commit to our targets and drive innovation to create opportunities in the manufacturing space that benefit our customers, people and the planet.

Reference:

1. Kekessie, I., Wegner, K., Martinez, I., et al. Process Mass Intensity (PMI): A Holistic Analysis of Current Peptide Manufacturing Processes Informs Sustainability in Peptide Synthesis. The Journal of Organic Chemistry. Published 2024.