Leading the Shift to Greener Processes
Pharmaceutical manufacturing is entering a new era of transformation. Globally, regulatory expectations are rising, and the demand for safer, cleaner, and more efficient manufacturing practices is becoming increasingly urgent. Sustainability is no longer optional; it is now a driving force that is pushing the industry to rethink long-established approaches.
Flow chemistry is emerging as a key solution, but its full impact depends on more than just technology. Meaningful progress happens when process expertise, equipment design, and engineering integration come together.
At Asymchem, we bring these capabilities under one roof. With deep expertise and a proven track record in flow chemistry, we help clients improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and scale the production of RSMs, intermediates, and APIs with confidence.
Scope and Capabilities
Asymchem was among the first CDMOs to implement continuous manufacturing for pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, beginning in 2008. Since then, we have delivered more than 500 flow projects over kilo-scale and enabled technology transfer projects at scales up to 10,000 MT. With nearly two decades of experience and fully integrated capabilities, Asymchem is equipped to address some of the most complex challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Our expertise covers high-pressure hydrogenation, electrochemistry, photochemistry, and biotransformation.
These technologies enable precise, scalable, and efficient production of pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.
Real-World Impact
Asymchem continues to deliver measurable progress in continuous manufacturing. A notable example is the conversion of carbapenem synthesis from batch to flow.
• Reduced the production cycle from 20 days to just 1.5 days.
This achievement demonstrates our ability to implement transformative process improvements that drive speed, efficiency, and sustainability.
At Asymchem, innovation is core to how we solve complex manufacturing challenges. To address the difficulties of continuous solid–liquid reactions, we developed and built our own proprietary flow reactor, using metformin synthesis as the test platform throughout its design and optimization.
This breakthrough led to multiple patents for continuous metformin production and resulted in China’s first API continuous manufacturing verification under the ICH Q13 guidelines.
By leading this effort, Asymchem is helping to drive broader adoption of continuous manufacturing across the industry.
Pioneering in Green Innovations
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Asymchem’s philosophy.
Flow processes inherently minimize solvent and energy use, reduce waste, and enhance safety.
This commitment was recognized when Asymchem became the first recipient of the ACS CMO Excellence in Green Chemistry Award in 2022.
The award was granted for the development of a custom photochemical flow reactor designed to perform a challenging [2+2] cycloaddition. This innovation replaced a six-step batch synthesis with a single-step continuous process, reduced waste by 72 percent, and enabled production at the 250-kg scale. The success of this project established a new benchmark for green chemistry within the industry and reflects Asymchem’s continued investment in developing sustainable and high-performance manufacturing technologies.
In-House Equipment Fabrication
In modern flow chemistry, process innovation must be supported by advanced engineering capabilities. While many CDMOs rely on third-party equipment with long lead times and limited flexibility, Asymchem has established a fully integrated system that combines proprietary design, precision machining, and comprehensive equipment lifecycle support.
This system is anchored by a dedicated engineering team and a 10,000 m² manufacturing center. The facility is equipped with advanced technologies, including metal laser 3D printers, five-axis CNC machining centers, and robust simulation and modeling tools.
Through this in-house fabrication capability, Asymchem delivers client-centric, end-to-end solutions that address process, regulatory, and scale-up requirements. Customized flow reactors can move from initial design to delivery in as little as one to two weeks, enabling seamless integration and significantly accelerating project timelines.
Global Expansion: The Sandwich Site
Our integrated approach to flow chemistry is exemplified by our UK site in Sandwich. The facility features CE-certified, proprietary flow equipment, including plug flow reactors, heterogeneous hydrogenation systems, biocatalysis platforms, and Grignard capabilities. This installation has created a flexible, fully integrated environment for rapid process development and scale-up, representing a key step in Asymchem’s broader expansion into Western markets.
With these capabilities in place, our Sandwich site serves as an innovation hub for flow chemistry. Client projects can be rapidly developed and tested in a controlled laboratory setting, allowing for efficient process optimization. Once a process meets performance and quality requirements, we provide tailored equipment solutions ready for direct deployment at the client’s site.
About Asymchem
Founded in 1995, Asymchem is a leading global CDMO specializing in integrated solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. With advanced R&D and manufacturing sites in China, the U.S., and Europe, Asymchem delivers a broad range of services including small molecule, chemical TIDES, biologics, synthetic biology, and more.
The company’s ongoing investments in innovation and sustainability continue to drive value for its global client base.
Contacts
inquiry@asymchem.com
www.asymchem.com
