Rapid Synthesis of Cancer Drugs and Biological Molecules Made Possible by New Machine

Strategic Insights -

A breakthrough has been made in the field of cancer research with the development of a machine by the Research Association of Micro Chemical Process Technology (MCPT) and the University of Tokyo. This revolutionary device can synthesize ranimustine, a type of cancer drug, 80 times faster than conventional techniques and with double the yield. The MCPT, an association of 28 chemical and machinery makers, plans to design a higher-performance version of the machine to produce a range of medicinal compounds. The goal is to have a commercial product ready within three years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The machine can synthesize ranimustine 80 times faster than conventional techniques, with a yield of 44% compared to 22% with the conventional method.
  • The machine is the size of an office desk and contains 27 glass chips with microchannels that facilitate the mixing of reactants and the synthesis and extraction of products.
  • The machine eliminates the danger of explosions present in the conventional batch method of synthesis due to the quick escape of heat from the small amounts of liquid involved in the actual synthesis reactions.
  • Ranimustine is made from two starting ingredients in a five-step synthesis process, with explosive intermediate compounds that require strict temperature control.
  • The conventional batch method of synthesis takes 770 hours to produce a batch of ranimustine, while the new machine can produce the same amount in just 10 hours.
  • The MCPT plans to design a higher-performance version of the machine to produce a range of medicinal compounds.

Statistics:

  • 80 times faster synthesis of ranimustine compared to conventional techniques
  • 44% yield of ranimustine with the new machine, compared to 22% with the conventional method
  • 10 hours required to produce a batch of ranimustine with the new machine, compared to 770 hours with the conventional batch method
  • 27 glass chips with microchannels in the new machine
  • 5-step synthesis process to produce ranimustine
  • 3 years estimated time frame for commercial product development

Sources:

  • (Nikkei) 26-08 1341