We’re proud to share our recent peer-reviewed scientific article, published in the prestigious ACS Organic Process Research & Development journal, titled “Imine Reductase-Catalyzed Synthesis of a Key Intermediate of Avacopan: Enzymatic Oxidative Kinetic Resolution with Ex Situ Recovery and Dynamic Kinetic Reduction Strategies toward 2,3-Disubstituted Piperidine.”
This milestone underscores the strength and innovation of our R&D team and marks TAPI’s presence in the global scientific community as a thought leader in process chemistry.
In this article, our scientists demonstrate the ability of proprietary imine reductases (IREDs) to control the configuration of two vicinal stereogenic centers in avacopan API via oxidative kinetic resolution. The system involves selective oxidation and tautomerization of the undesired enantiomer into a corresponding enamine. This byproduct is then either recycled via catalytic hydrogenation back to the racemic starting material or transformed through a dynamic kinetic resolution using another proprietary IRED with excellent diastereoselectivity.
The process was successfully scaled to the kilogram level, with outstanding selectivity and yield. It’s an excellent example of how TAPI combines biocatalysis and process innovation to deliver efficient, sustainable solutions to complex synthetic challenges.
