Hengdian Group’s Apeloa Pharmaceutical uses Flow Chemistry for sustainable manufacturing

Core Insights - Hengdian Group's pharmaceutical arm Apeloa is leveraging Flow Chemistry to enhance sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry [1][2] - Apeloa has invested over USD 20 million in its flow chemistry platform over the past decade, emphasizing energy efficiency and reduced emissions [2] - The flow chemistry market is projected to grow at a 10% CAGR, reaching USD 2.9 billion by 2028, driven by regulatory support and scientific advancements [4] Group 1: Flow Chemistry Advantages - Flow chemistry allows for continuous chemical reactions, improving process safety and sustainability compared to traditional batch processing [3][6] - The method utilizes compact tubular reactors, providing better control over temperature, pressure, and time, resulting in less waste and higher yields [6] - Apeloa's flow chemistry platform supports the entire drug development lifecycle, from early development to commercial manufacturing [9] Group 2: Technological Developments - Apeloa has refined its flow chemistry platform technologically and commercially over the last ten years, with expertise in various high-value reactions [7][8] - The company’s Boston site specializes in early-stage flow chemistry, while its Shanghai and Hengdian locations handle larger scale samples [7] - A recent white paper published by Apeloa showcases its capabilities in high-risk reactions, demonstrating significant improvements in yield and safety [8][10] Group 3: Specific Reaction Improvements - Azide and Hydrogenation processes have been optimized to achieve 10-minute cycle times compared to 12 hours in batch processing [10] - Nitration with Acetyle Nitrate has shown an 80% yield in just 3 minutes, significantly faster than the traditional method [10] - Fluorination processes can handle a capacity of 12,000 tons/year with yields exceeding 90%, surpassing commercial standards [10]