Pharmaceutical Technology Overview 

Pharmaceutical technology is the application of scientific knowledge or technology to pharmacy, pharmacology, and the pharmaceutical industry. It includes methods, techniques, and instrumentation in the manufacture, preparation, compounding, dispensing, packaging, and storing of drugs and other preparations used in diagnostic and determinative procedures and in the treatment of patients. The pharmaceutical industry is a highly regulated and technology-intensive one, where knowledge is the main source of competitive advantage.

New technologies, like artificial intelligence, biosensors, and mobile apps provide companies with vast amounts of patient data, enabling more advanced analysis and, as a result, precision medicine, i.e. blockbuster drugs designed for the average patient will be replaced by treatments that take into account individual variations in genes, environment, and lifestyle. These digital technologies will also change the firms’ value propositions: combining drugs with biosensors that communicate with mobile apps to guide patients is no longer science fiction and a far cry from just selling pills.

source: Zeynep Erden of Vlerick Business School

Aerobic Oxidative Coupling for the Formation of Biaryls

INVENTOR • Brenton DeBoef

ABSTRACT

A method of catalytic oxidative coupling for the formation of hetero-coupled biaryls. The method includes placing a solvent, an arene compound, and a catalyst in a reactor having a oxidant atmosphere such that hetero-coupled biaryls are formed.

APPLICATION

This process provides a method by which the pharmaceutical and chemical industries can manufacture high-value molecules such as drugs and dyes in a cost effective and environmentally benign way. Areas include high value molecules such as pharmaceuticals, asymmetric conducting polymers, ligands and dyes for organic light emitting diodes.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

The method is cost effective and the substrates for the reaction are inexpensive.
The process is environmentally benign- producing less amounts of toxic waste than previously available methods.
This is a novel chemical process whereby two carbon-hydrogen bonds within two aromatic molecules are formally broken and result in the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond that connects the two arenas.
Catalysts- The catalyst for the reaction consists of a palladium salt and may or may not have ligands such as triphenylphosphine or bipyridine. Enhanced reactivity is observed in the presence of a co-catalyst such as copper (II) acetate, silver acetate, or phosphomolybdovanadic acids. Reducing the amount of the catalyst in the reactions will further reduce the input costs associated with the reaction.
The terminal oxidant for the process can be molecular oxygen or air. One atmosphere of either of these gasses is sufficient. However, greater pressures allow for increased reactivity.
PATENT STATUS
US #8703966
AVAILABILITY
Technology is available for licensing
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