Research project
LIFE-GREENAPI
Development & demonstration of low environmental impact innovation and optimization practices in pharma production.
- Duration
- 2023 - 2026
- Contact
- Stefano Cucurachi
- Funding
-
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
- Partners
Project description
The European Pharmaceutical Sector is recognized as one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize given the stringent regulatory limits. LIFE-GREENAPI is a core part of Angelini Pharma’s strategy to decarbonize their production practices, per the requirements set in the European Green Deal and its ambition of zero pollution.
About LIFE-GREENAPI
LIFE-GREENAPI is a 3-year initiative coordinated by Angelini Pharma aimed at proposing a technological shift in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) production to promote sustainability in the European Pharmaceutical Sector, which is recognized as one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize given the stringent regulatory limits. LIFE-GREENAPI is based on the application of flow chemistry, instead of the incumbent batch chemistry technology, in some specific production steps of a selected API.
Flow chemistry
Based on previous research conducted by Angelini Pharma for lab-scale application of flow chemistry, it was found that such a technological shift has various advantages: increased reaction rate, improved use of solvents, energy efficiency, waste reduction, water efficiency, and increased safety.
Methods
Angelini Pharma, in collaboration with the University of Leiden, will engineer, test, scale-up, and demonstrate at industrial level the environmental benefit of flow-chemistry. The technological innovation will be first developed and tested on a selected high-production volume API, and then replicated on two additional small molecules. This will demonstrate the broad spectrum of applicability.
Why Leiden University?
Leiden University’s expertise in prospective Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental risk assessment will be applied to monitor the environmental impact of the program. LCA will be applied to assess Angelini Pharma’s innovations in the fine chemicals production processes and the related environmental benefits, towards a continuous and iterative study of the system, from the lab to the pre-commercial phase.
About the LIFE programme
The LIFE Programme is the EU's funding instrument for environment and climate action. It has been bringing green ideas to LIFE since 1992 and, to date, has co-financed over 5,500 projects. For the 2021–2027 period, the EU has increased LIFE Programme funding by almost 60%, up to €5.4 billion, and included the new clean energy transition sub-program.
