Experts warn that current methods of making the peptide drugs are environmentally unfriendly
April 28, 2024 by Aayushi Pratap Chemical & Engineering News, Volume 102, Issue 13
This article explores the significant environmental challenges associated with the rapidly increasing production of popular peptide-based weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound. It highlights that current manufacturing methods, primarily solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), are highly inefficient and require massive quantities of hazardous organic solvents, resulting in substantial industrial waste. While demand for these drugs is skyrocketing, outpacing current supply and leading companies to invest heavily in scaling up production, experts warn that existing processes are not sustainable and that greener alternatives are urgently needed. Although some efforts are being made by manufacturers to reduce solvent use and explore new technologies, the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly methods faces obstacles and is not yet a concerted effort across the industry.
Novo Nordisk’s $6 billion investment at this plant in Denmark is one of several for peptide-based weight-loss drugs.
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