Home » September / October 2023 » Adding value by catalysis: The key qualities to look for in a CRO with expertise in catalysis
2023 | September / October 2023

Adding value by catalysis: The key qualities to look for in a CRO with expertise in catalysis

by cyb2025
A. M. Kluwer, V. Mouarrawis
Catalysis
catalyst
Contract Research
CRO
high-throughput
innovation
optimization
Organization
pharmaceutical
screening

ALEXANDER M. KLUWER1, VALENTINOS MOUARRAWIS2
1. CEO, InCatT B.V., The Netherlands
2. Business development manager, InCatT B.V. The Netherlands

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical innovation requires efficient production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and the synthesis often involves one or more catalytic steps. Optimizing the catalyst and reaction conditions will result in improved product purity, yield, and safety and such optimization is often accompanied by significant cost reduction. Many companies do not have such capabilities for catalyst screening and optimization studies in-house, due to a lack of continuous need or limited resources to maintain a high-tech laboratory with high throughput testing equipment. In such case, a (pharmaceutical) company has to rely on Contract Research Organizations (CROs) for their catalyst research. Selecting an expert CRO involves assessing their effective communication, scientific knowledge, high throughput infrastructure, unbiased services, flexibility, and quality control. Addressing potential challenges with clear communication, prompt issue resolution, aligned goals, and adaptability is critical. Collaborating with an experienced CRO can accelerate market entry, reduce production costs, and drive competitiveness in the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical industry.

Developing new and innovative products is essential for staying competitive in today’s rapidly evolving pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical companies must continuously innovate, developing novel therapies and improving existing treatments to meet the needs of patients. Central to this pursuit and making these new drugs available are the med-chem and process chemists, who rely on synthetic tools that allow them to efficiently access diverse structures of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexander (Sander) Kluwer is CEO of InCatT B.V. After finishing his studies and Ph.D. in the field of homogeneous catalysis, he worked in different companies and spin-off companies. Since the launch of InCatT B.V. in 2009, he has been involved in all the company’s research and development projects. He has more than 27 years of experience in catalysis research in academia and industry with a strong focus on homogeneous catalysis, supramolecular catalysis, and spectroscopy.

Valentinos Mouarrawis, Ph.D., is a Business Development Manager. He earned his Ph.D. in Homogeneous, Supramolecular, and Bio-Inspired Catalysis under the guidance of Prof. Bas de Bruin and Prof. Joost N. H. Reek. With over 7 years of experience in academia and industry, Valentinos focuses on catalyst screening and optimization projects as a business developer for a diverse range of industries, including Flavor & Fragrance, Bio-based, Pharmaceutical, and bulk chemicals.

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