Impactive: Sustainable Pharmaceutical Chemistry

[Article] - Published on February 24, 2023 in Major Programs

The goals of the European Horizon Impactive project, led by the University of Montpellier and coordinated by chemist Evelina Colacino of the Charles Gerhardt Institute, are to produce molecules of pharmaceutical interest in a more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient manner. This large-scale project proposes mechanochemistry as a disruptive technology capable of supporting the evolution of the pharmaceutical industry.

It is one of the most polluting industries in existence, with a carbon footprint larger than that of the automotive sector. How can we reduce the pharmaceutical industry’s environmental impact while remaining innovative and competitive? For Evelina Colacino, the answer lies in mechanochemistry, a technology that makes it possible to eliminate the highly polluting solvents used in traditional chemistry to synthesize molecules of pharmaceutical interest—the very molecules that form the basis of the active ingredients in our medications.

These solvents facilitate contact between the materials, thereby allowing different molecules to interact. The problem is that these substances are highly polluting. “Solvents account for 80% of the waste generated by the production of molecules,” explains Evelina Colacino. Eliminating them is therefore an ecological necessity, and mechanochemistry is a prime alternative for achieving this. The principle: “mixing” molecules by applying mechanical forces using beads, through reactive extrusion, or via acoustic activation—all without solvents—to create target molecules. This technology is already being used successfully in other industrial sectors (aerospace, cosmetics, fertilizers, etc.), and now Impactive is set to validate its use in the pharmaceutical industry.

A project of international scope

This is a technology that chemist Evelina Colacino of the Charles Gerhardt Institute in Montpellier has been working on for years, and it is gaining momentum, as evidenced by the success of the Impactive project (Innovative mechanochemical processes to synthesize green active pharmaceutical ingredients) led by the University of Montpellier.“It’s a large-scale international multi-partner project with €7.7 million in funding, ”explains the project leader. “This shows that Europe has been paying close attention to these issues for several years now.”

Because mechanochemistry holds the promise of a pharmaceutical industry that is not only cleaner but also more competitive. “Not only does it reduce solvent use by 85% and lower_CO2 emissions generated by chemical reactions, but mechanochemistry, which requires less energy, also leads to a 12% reduction in production costs and can make us more competitive, ”the chemist emphasizes.

A reduction in production costs that could go hand in hand with lower import costs, as another key challenge for the sector is to relocate some of the production currently concentrated in Asia, in particular. “We saw this during the COVID crisis: certain medications manufactured in China were out of stock, even though they are essential to patients’ health,” recalls Evelina Colacino. “One of Impactive’s major goals is to make Europe more independent in the face of certain geopolitical challenges, for example. In this regard, this European research project has a real socio-economic impact in addition to its scientific impact.”

Sustainable innovation

Industry leaders have also shown keen interest in this technology.“Among the project’s 17 partners— in addition to universities and research centers— are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as Merck and Novartis, with the latter two providing an insider’s perspective on these issues. We also need to understand the challenges they face so that we can align our research with those constraints,” the researcher explains.

Mechanochemistry also offers significant potential for innovation compared to traditional chemistry.“Some compounds are insoluble and cannot be mixed using solvents; from this perspective, mechanochemistry can solve synthesis problems that have been encountered until now.” To this end, Impactive brings together specialists from several disciplines:“researchers in organic synthesis, process chemistry, physical chemistry… these highly diverse challenges require a wide range of skills.” Together, they pool their expertise to create nothing less than a more sustainable, independent, competitive, and self-sufficient European pharmaceutical industry.