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University of Alberta chemical process licensed to GreenCentre Canada holds promise for greener pharmaceutical production
October 13, 2011
KINGSTON, ON/EDMONTON, AB – A green chemical process with the potential to make production of pharmaceutical products more efficient and environmentally friendly has been licensed to GreenCentre Canada from the University of Alberta.
The process, developed by UAlberta chemist Dr. Dennis Hall, uses a novel, heavy-metal-free catalyst that can be used at room temperature without creating toxic by-products. The catalyst is used to create amide bonds, one of the most common chemical components used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compounds. Existing methods often require high temperatures and involve multiple steps and the addition of solvents or other toxic chemicals.
GreenCentre will work with Dr. Hall to scale up the catalyst and use it to make molecules of interest to the pharmaceutical industry, as well as to the agricultural and plastics industries.
“Better amide bond formation has been identified as a key research priority by the pharmaceutical industry, so this technology has the potential to fill an important product development need,” says Lynn Leger, Commercial Development Director at GreenCentre. “It also shows promise as a source of new molecules for use in other industry sectors, so there is a fairly wide scope of potential here.”
The new GreenCentre license agreement was negotiated by TEC Edmonton, a not-for-profit venture between UAlberta and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) that transforms technologies into business opportunities.
"This is the first UAlberta green technology to be licensed by GreenCentre, marking what we believe is the beginning of a long, prosperous relationship," says Chris Lumb, CEO of TEC Edmonton. "We look forward to this technology benefiting many industries and the environment, while adding to the well-deserved recognition of Canadian green chemistry research."
Dr. Hall’s technology is one of more than 20 promising discoveries currently licensed to GreenCentre for further development. Founded in 2009 to help researchers and industry rapidly move breakthrough green chemistry discoveries from the lab to the market, GreenCentre has to date received and assessed more than 260 technologies from 42 universities and research institutions across Canada.
About GreenCentre Canada:
GreenCentre Canada is a national Centre of Excellence for commercializing early-stage Green Chemistry discoveries generated by academic researchers and industry. Funded by the governments of Ontario and Canada, and industry, GreenCentre Canada is dedicated to developing environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical and manufacturing products and practices. It is governed and operated with the assistance of industry members from across the chemical value chain. The centre is located at the Innovation Park at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
www.greencentrecanada.com
About University of Alberta:
The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences. Home to more than 38,000 students and 15,000 faculty and staff, UAlberta has an annual budget of more than $1.4 billion and attracts $536 million in sponsored research revenue. It offers close to 400 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 18 faculties on five campuses—including one rural and one francophone campus. UAlberta has approximately 230,000 alumni worldwide.
www.ualberta.ca
About TEC Edmonton:
TEC Edmonton is a business service provider, helping transform technologies into business opportunities. The goal of the organization is to capture the value of innovation in the local region, for the local region. A unique not-for-profit, TEC Edmonton is a joint venture between the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC).
www.tecedmonton.com
Contact:
Mary Anne Beaudette
Director, Communications
GreenCentre Canada
P: 613.533.6000 ext 78238
E: maryanne.beaudette@greencentrecanada.com
Erik Einsiedel
Communications Coordinator
TEC Edmonton
P: 780.248.5886
E: erik.einsiedel@tecedmonton.com
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