Development of novel synthetic processes for disaccharide phospholipids - ON-907

Project type: Research
Desired discipline(s): Chemistry, Natural Sciences
Company: Acanthus Pharma Services Inc.
Project Length: Longer than 1 year
Preferred start date: 04/01/2024
Language requirement: English
Location(s): Mississauga, ON, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: Postdoctoral fellow
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: Yes

About the company: 

Acanthus Pharma Services Inc is a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) specializing in the early stages of drug development, with a primary focus on advancing pharmaceutical products up to Phase I. As a dedicated player in the industry, our core expertise lies in the production of lipids tailored for pharmaceutical applications, prominently featuring the formulation of lipid nanoparticles. These specialized lipids play a pivotal role in enhancing drug delivery, encapsulating therapeutic agents within nanoparticles to improve solubility, stability, and targeted release.

At Acanthus Pharma, we pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation, ensuring the development of cutting-edge synthetic processes and methodologies. Our state-of-the-art facilities and experienced team enable the seamless scaling up and optimization of laboratory-scale synthetic routes, emphasizing the maximization of yields, cost-effectiveness, and a minimal environmental footprint.

Moreover, Acanthus Pharma excels in crafting meticulous process documentation essential for technology transfer and regulatory submissions. Our integrated approach extends beyond production to encompass the filing of patent applications and active participation in the scientific community through the preparation of research papers and presentations at industry-leading conferences.

Describe the project.: 

This project aims to address current challenges in the organic synthesis of disaccharide phospholipids by developing innovative approaches that enhance efficiency, selectivity, process scalability, and sustainability. The proposed research will focus on developing an industrially acceptable synthetic route to disaccharide phospholipids with potential applications in pharmaceuticals. The project will integrate principles of green chemistry to minimize environmental impact.

Objectives:

1. Pioneering Innovative Synthetic Pathways for Disaccharide Phospholipids.
2. Scaling up and optimizing laboratory-scale synthetic routes to maximize yields, minimize process costs, and reduce environmental impact.
3. Creating comprehensive process documentation for technology transfer and regulatory submissions.
4. Filing patent applications, writing scientific papers, and delivering presentations at scientific meetings.

Expected Outcomes: The expected results of this research encompass the creation of valuable intellectual property and an augmentation of the company's expertise. This includes the publication of research articles in peer-reviewed journals, participation in national and international conferences through presentations, and the widespread dissemination of the developed methodologies to the broader scientific community.

Significance: The findings from this research endeavor are poised to significantly advance the realm of synthetic organic chemistry, offering novel tools for the efficient and sustainable synthesis of pharmacologically relevant molecules. This contribution not only enriches the company's intellectual portfolio and know-how but also plays a crucial role in training aspiring young scientists pursuing careers in the pharmaceutical industry. Aligned with overarching initiatives in green chemistry, the project further contributes to the sustainable manufacturing of phospholipids.

Benefits for Postdoctoral Felow: The Postdoctoral Fellow will have the opportunity to expand upon their expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and acquire skills in scaling up a laboratory-scale synthetic route to a full-scale industrial process—knowledge typically beyond the scope of academic training. Additionally, the candidate will gain proficiency in preparing process documentation for technology transfer and regulatory purposes.

Required expertise/skills: 

The project will strongly rely on candidate’s knowledge of carbohydrate chemistry and a solid support from the academic partner in this area of synthetic organic chemistry. Acanthus Pharma Services team has considerable expertise in lipid chemistry. We can provide guidance as to scalability of the chemical transformations and development of large-scale chemical processes from laboratory-scale procedures. Our expertise extends to drug regulatory issues that must be considered at each step of drug development and commercialization process. We are committed to offering robust analytical support for the establishment of in-process controls, alongside the characterization of intermediates and final products.