Flow Chemistry

Where batch is unsafe, unselective, or impossible.

Why flow

703 steps manufactured. Flow is used where batch is unsafe, unselective or impossible — highly exothermic chemistry, unstable intermediates, reactions that need precise residence time. It also changes the scale-up question, because a flow process is scaled by extending the run time. 

The platform offers process development, non-GMP and GMP production for projects from preclinical to commercial stage. It was built with clients, on hundreds of projects, and the multi-purpose flow lines are modular, so a solution to a batch-mode process problem can be put together quickly. 

Reactions in the flow toolbox

703 steps manufactured. Flow is used where batch is unsafe, unselective or impossible — highly exothermic chemistry, unstable intermediates, reactions that need precise residence time. It also changes the scale-up question, because a flow process is scaled by extending the run time. 

The platform offers process development, non-GMP and GMP production for projects from preclinical to commercial stage. It was built with clients, on hundreds of projects, and the multi-purpose flow lines are modular, so a solution to a batch-mode process problem can be put together quickly. 

Run above one metric ton

The following reaction types have been run in flow at more than one metric ton: 

  • Low temperature metallo-organic: deprotonation and Michael addition; lithiation and methylation 
  • High temperature and pressure: Cope elimination; amination 
  • Photochemistry: photo halogenation 
  • Oxidation: aerobic oxidation; Swern oxidation 
  • Others: amide coupling; hydrogenation; cyanidation

Inside containment

Flow chemistry is available for high potency compounds at an occupational exposure limit of 10 ng/m³, on a dedicated high potency flow line.

High Potency API

Decide early

Routes are fixed early. If flow chemistry is the right answer for a step, that is best established while the route is still being chosen, because changing it after the process is locked means a comparability exercise. 

The chemists who run flow at commercial scale are available while the route is still on paper.

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