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Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They are essential for many biological processes, such as digestion, metabolism, and immunity. Enzymes are also widely used in various industries, such as food, agriculture, and biofuels. However, one of the most promising and exciting applications of enzymes is in the pharmaceutical industry, where they can help discover, develop, and manufacture new drugs.

Enzymes have many advantages over traditional chemical catalysts, such as high specificity, selectivity, efficiency, and environmental friendliness. However, natural enzymes are not always suitable for industrial applications, as they may have low stability, activity, or compatibility with the desired reaction conditions or substrates. Therefore, scientists have developed methods to engineer enzymes to improve their performance and create novel functions.

One of the leading companies in the field of enzyme engineering is Codexis, Inc., which uses state-of-the-art protein engineering technology to create customized enzymes and processes for the pharmaceutical industry. Codexis leverages the latest breakthroughs in genomics, proteomics, data analytics, high throughput robotics, and computational modeling to rapidly develop highly efficient enzymes, optimized for specific molecules and challenging process conditions¹.

Codexis has collaborated with many major pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Roche, to provide biocatalytic solutions for various drug candidates and products. For example, Codexis developed a novel enzyme for the synthesis of sitagliptin, the active ingredient in Merck's diabetes drug Januvia, which reduced the number of steps, increased the yield, and eliminated the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process². Codexis also created a new enzyme for the production of atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor, which improved the purity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the process³.

In addition to improving existing drugs, engineered enzymes can also help discover new drugs by enabling novel chemical transformations that are difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional methods. For instance, Codexis developed a platform for the synthesis of macrocycles, a class of molecules with high potential for drug discovery, but challenging to make with traditional chemistry⁴. Codexis also created a platform for the synthesis of oligonucleotides, a class of molecules that can modulate gene expression, but require complex and expensive synthesis methods⁵.

The global enzymes market size was valued at $7.81 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $12.15 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2020 to 2027. The pharmaceutical segment is expected to be one of the fastest-growing segments, owing to the increasing demand for new and improved drugs, and the rising adoption of biocatalysis as a green and efficient technology. Some of the key players that operate in the global enzymes market include Novozymes, DSM, DuPont, BASF, Advanced Enzyme Technologies, AB Enzymes, Amano Enzyme, Roche, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Engineered enzymes are transforming the pharmaceutical industry by enabling new and better ways to discover, develop, and manufacture drugs. They offer significant benefits in terms of quality, productivity, sustainability, and innovation. As the technology advances and the market expands, engineered enzymes are expected to play a vital role in the future of medicine.

Sources:

1. 55 Enzymes Companies Worldwide | Biotech Careers.
2. Accelerating Drug Development and Manufacturing with Engineered Enzymes
3. Enzymes Market Statistics, Growth Drivers | Forecast - 2031.
4. How enzymes are transforming manufacturing - AOCS.
5. Industrial Enzymes Market - Size, Share & Analysis - Mordor Intelligence.

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