03-01-2024
Researcher Ana Rita Duarte, from NOVA FCT Department of Chemistry, along with PhD students Liane de Meneses and Filipe Oliveira, promotes the use of sustainable green chemistry practices to address Boehringer Ingelheim's challenge. The solution involves utilizing eutectic solvents, like honey, which, due to their viscous nature, facilitate better preservation of the molecules' structure, even at room temperature. This sustainable approach preserves biopharmaceuticals and contributes to a reduced ecological footprint for the pharmaceutical industry.
Boehringer Ingelheim, a German pharmaceutical company, challenged researchers worldwide to devise preservation and sustainability solutions for biopharmaceuticals, also known as biological medicines, primarily used for autoimmune and cancer diseases. Biopharmaceuticals consist of sensitive molecules with a limited lifespan, typically administered intravenously. The current preservation method relies on freeze-drying (lyophilization), involving substantial environmental impact, high-energy consumption, and greenhouse gas production.
"We are keenly aware of the industry's challenges and aim for our research at NOVA FCT to impact various aspects—economic, social, and environmental. The choice of our team's solution clearly demonstrates the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to greener and more sustainable practices," explains NOVA FCT researcher Ana Rita Duarte.
NOVA FCT researchers competed against 23 other projects from 12 diverse countries and were granted 65,000 euros to optimize the solution. The results will be published in a leading international scientific journal, with expected industrial implementation within 12 months.
Mel para preservar medicamentos biológicos vence concurso internacional, Sábado
Investigação da NOVA FCT sobre solução sustentável para medicamentos biológicos vence concurso internacional, Atlas da Saúde
Investigação da NOVA FCT vence concurso internacional da Boehringer Ingelheim, Health News
Investigação portuguesa vai contribuir para a diminuição da pegada ecológica da indústria farmacêutica, The Next Big Idea
