Sustainable Manufacturing of Peptides and Oligonucleotides

The manufacturing of therapeutic peptides and oligonucleotides (TIDES) presents unique challenges due to their historically resource-intensive processes. This has become an increasingly important issue as the whole pharmaceutical industry embraces growing recognition of the urgent need for sustainable practices.

As the demand for TIDES-based therapies continues to grow, the environmental impact of their production is becoming increasingly critical. Bachem has responded to the challenges with innovative solutions with implications for the broader industry landscape.

High Cost of Unsustainable Practices

While essential for developing new lifesaving medications, TIDES manufacturing has traditionally relied on the heavy use of solvents and energy, generating significant waste. Traditional TIDES manufacturing consumes 46 times more solvent than traditional small-molecule drugs¹.

With the global GLP-1 agonist market projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, the environmental burden of unsustainable TIDES manufacturing practices will only intensify.

Furthermore, complex global supply chains for TIDES manufacturing contribute to inefficiencies and a heightened environmental impact, further complicating sustainability efforts. Pharma businesses can no longer afford the environmental and financial risks of such unsustainable practices.

Bachem’s Green Innovations

Bachem has long been at the forefront of sustainable TIDES manufacturing, actively developing and implementing innovative solutions to minimize the environmental impact of developing urgently needed medicines. Its groundbreaking continuous chromatography technology, multicolumn countercurrent solvent gradient purification (MCSGP), reduces solvent use by around one third. ‘Large-scale TIDES purification with MCSGP under GMP’ is the subject of a dedicated Bachem webinar.

Bachem is also exploring greener peptide synthesis methods, such as replacing harmful solvents with less impactful alternatives, as discussed in another webinar, “No More DMF: Greener Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis with Binary Solvents.”

Bachem is also actively exploring liquid phase peptide synthesis (LPPS) as a potential alternative to solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) to further reduce solvent consumption and waste generation.

Holistic Commitment to Sustainability

Bachem’s overall commitment to R&D drives forward continuous advancements in green chemistry and energy efficiency. Active collaboration with partners and industry leaders enables positive change across the pharmaceutical landscape, enabling sustainable peptide production and green chemistry oligonucleotide synthesis.

Bachem’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond process optimization to embrace and encourage a holistic approach that encompasses every aspect of operations, including:

• Responsible sourcing & procurement: Bachem collaborates closely with trusted suppliers to ensure ethical and sustainable practices, backed by its Global Code of Conduct for Supplying Partners that ensures high sustainability standards are upheld throughout the supply chain.
• Waste management & reduction: Bachem actively minimizes waste generation and prioritizes recycling and reuse wherever possible. Its waste reduction strategies are explored in the webinar “Reducing Solvent Consumption with Peptide Easy Clean”.
• Energy efficiency & renewable energy: Bachem continuously seeks new opportunities to improve energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy sources, such as exploring new, less energy-intensive methods to replace freeze-drying in certain processes.

Global Recognition

Bachem’s unwavering commitment to sustainability has earned formal recognition, including the prestigious EcoVadis Platinum and Gold awards that respectively places the company among the top 1% and 5% of the most sustainable businesses worldwide.

Bachem is determined to build on these achievements by further reducing its environmental footprint while simultaneously fostering a more diverse and inclusive culture. This is reflected in its 2026 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, which include:

• Reducing Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 50% per FTE
• Reducing energy consumption by 20% per FTE
• Increasing female representation in the workforce, upper management and regional executive committees by 10% or more, as compared to 2020.

Partnering for a Sustainable Future

Bachem is not merely adapting to the evolving sustainability landscape but is actively shaping it with its industry-leading practices and innovations. Its outreach and collaborative initiatives are also key to building a more sustainable and resilient pharmaceutical industry.

As the demand for TIDES-based therapies continues to grow, so does the urgency in adopting more environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. Bachem’s holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing everything from process optimization and responsible sourcing to energy efficiency, ensures that TIDES-based products are not only effective but also ethically and sustainably produced.

Reference

1. Kekessie, Ivy, Katarzyna Wegner, Isamir Martinez, Michael E Kopach, Timothy D White, Janine K Tom, Martin N Kenworthy, et al. 2024. “Process Mass Intensity (PMI): A Holistic Analysis of Current Peptide Manufacturing Processes Informs Sustainability in Peptide Synthesis.” Journal of Organic Chemistry 89 (7): 4261–82. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.3c01494.

Resources

Click on From Continuous Chromatography to Green Chemistry — Building A Healthier Future to see original Bachem blogpost.
Click on Pioneering Sustainable, Large-Scale TIDES Manufacturing to learn more.
Click on Bachem cGMP production for further information.
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