The growing role of CDMOs in the circular economy

Pharmaceutical Giants Can't Go It Alone: How CDMOs Are Driving Sustainability

In a world where climate change and sustainability are increasingly urgent concerns, the pharmaceutical industry is facing a critical juncture. Traditional manufacturing models, often operating in silos, can no longer suffice. Enter Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), which are at the forefront of revolutionizing the industry's approach to sustainability. On the 15th of October, a pivotal moment in the history of pharmaceutical sustainability was marked, as it became clear that CDMOs play a vital role in helping pharma giants achieve their carbon-neutral goals.

The Triple-R Approach: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Sustainability in pharmaceutical manufacturing is not just about reducing waste; it's about creating a holistic approach that considers every stage of the product lifecycle. The industry is moving from "green" initiatives to true sustainability, with CDMOs leading the charge. The three main activities of sustainability—reduce, reuse, and recycle—have become guiding principles for these organizations.

• Reduce: Efforts have focused on reducing waste at the source through process intensification. Metrics like atom economy (AE), process mass intensity (PMI), and E-factor (EF) have been developed to measure and optimize these processes (1).
• Reuse: Continuous flow manufacturing and biocatalysis promote the concepts of reducing energy and resource consumption. CDMOs are implementing innovative processes that allow for control of highly reactive chemistries, opening up new possibilities for accessing novel structures and motifs (1).
• Recycle: While recycling has been virtually ignored during product development, there is a growing recognition of its importance. CDMOs are now focusing on recycling solvents efficiently and simplifying workups that require less water and solvent, thereby producing less waste (1).

The Role of CDMOs in Sustainability

CDMOs are no longer just external service providers; they are strategic partners in the pharmaceutical industry's quest for sustainability. Their responsibilities include guiding smaller companies and start-ups in achieving their sustainability goals, optimizing logistics and supply chain management, and driving sustainability best practices (3).

• Guiding Smaller Companies: CDMOs have a significant role in mentoring smaller companies and start-ups to adopt sustainable practices. This includes transitioning from single-use to reusable shippers, reducing landfill waste, and designing more sustainable packaging (3).
• Optimizing Supply Chain Management: Supply chain management is a critical aspect of sustainability. CDMOs are optimizing logistics by reducing carbon footprint through efficient transportation methods and minimizing storage needs (3).
• Driving Sustainability Best Practices: Embracing environmental social governance (ESG) is becoming increasingly important. CDMOs are establishing baselines and benchmarks aligned with the Paris Agreement and publishing ESG reports to ensure transparency (3).

The Impact of CDMOs on the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

The pharmaceutical supply chain is undergoing a significant transformation, with CDMOs at the forefront. By leveraging innovative technologies such as flow chemistry and biocatalysis, CDMOs are reducing energy consumption and minimizing waste generation.

• Flow Chemistry: Continuous flow manufacturing offers numerous benefits, including reduced energy consumption, smaller manufacturing footprints, and efficient recycling of solvents. This technology allows for the control of highly reactive chemistries that cannot be safely performed in batch mode, opening up new possibilities for accessing novel structures and motifs (1).
• Biocatalysis: Biocatalytic processes are more environmentally friendly than traditional chemical reactions. They often use renewable resources and can be designed to produce less waste (1).

Regulatory Pressures and Consumer Expectations

The regulatory landscape is evolving to support sustainability in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Regulatory bodies are increasingly mandating companies to reduce their environmental impact. Consumer expectations also play a crucial role, as consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchases.

• Regulatory Compliance: The cost of waste disposal is rising, and energy costs are climbing. Access to water in some areas of the world is increasingly restricted. Meeting these challenges positively impacts the bottom line by reducing consumption and waste generation (1).
• Consumer Awareness: As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are demanding sustainable products. Pharmaceutical companies must adapt to these changing consumer expectations by partnering with CDMOs that share a vision of a more sustainable industry (1).

Case Study: Asymchem’s Sustainability Solutions

Asymchem is a CDMO that has made significant strides in sustainability. In collaboration with AbbVie, they implemented a photoredox trifluoromethylation in continuous flow at large scale. This innovative process leverages a more sustainable trifluoromethylating reagent, reducing catalyst demand, and utilizing a favorable energy source (light) to drive the reaction (1).

Deposit Refund Systems: A Model for Packaging Sustainability

While the focus on CDMOs in the pharmaceutical industry is crucial, other industries are also exploring innovative solutions to sustainability. Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) have been successful in beverage packaging, promoting circular economy principles.

• DRS Benefits: DRS have delivered high collection rates for beverage packaging, providing high-quality food-grade recycled material in a clean single stream. They contribute towards climate objectives by reducing the need for virgin materials through closed-loop recycling (2).
• Challenges and Opportunities: Despite their success, DRS face challenges in being integrated into EU legislation. The European Commission can play a crucial role by developing minimum requirements for setting up efficient new DRS, ensuring that they accommodate refillable packaging and support circular economy goals (2).

Conclusion

Pharmaceutical giants cannot work in isolation to achieve net zero. The industry must collaborate with CDMOs to drive sustainability best practices. By focusing on the triple-R approach, optimizing supply chain management, and embracing ESG principles, CDMOs are transforming the pharmaceutical industry's approach to sustainability. As the world continues to evolve, it is clear that CDMOs will play a pivotal role in guiding the industry towards a greener, more sustainable future.

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References

1. Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: A CDMO's Contribution

   • Pharmasalmanac

2. It's Time to Acknowledge the Role of Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) in Achieving a Circular Economy for Beverage Packaging in the EU

   • Zero Waste Europe

3. The Role Of CDMOs In Creating A More Sustainable Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

   • Clinical Leader