Outline

Peptide drugs are a growing segment of the pharmaceutical market, with >80 drugs on the global market, >150 in clinical development and 100s in preclinical studies. In many cases, unsustainable solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) methods are used for their production, involving large excesses of reagents, and huge volumes of solvent waste (DMF and DCM)being generated, with environmental toxicity and human health issues. There is now an urgent requirement for more sustainable methods for their production, with significantly lower environmental toxicity impact. Use of Greener solvents for SPPS is known for years, though efficiencies have not matched those of DMF. Since the introduction of SPPS by Bruce Merrifield in the 1960s, there have been many advances and improvements in the solvents, resin types, coupling agents, deprotection agents, resin cleavage and purification methods used. Most studies to-date have focused mainly on more sustainable solvents for the many steps in SPPS.
This project aims to study closely the manufacturing route currently used to prepare a key peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and to examine newer more sustainable methods to replace the older technologies, where possible. This collaborative research project between the Molecular Design & Synthesis group in TU Dublin and Ipsen Manufacturing Ireland Ltd will allow the PhD student to be fully immersed in addressing a real-world problem, using state-of-the-art technologies, while attaining a variety of high-level industry-relevant skill sets, particularly during the internship placement in Ipsen’s laboratories.

What is funded

Funding Details

Funding Agency: HEA Funded TU ARISE Programme

Student Stipend per annum € 25,000

Materials & Travel Budget per annum € Materials 2,000 + Travel 1,000

Fees covered by the funding per annum € 5,500 (EU fees)

Duration

Duration of Funding: 48 months

Eligibility

Student Requirements for this Project

2.1 Honours BSc in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent. A strong interest and track record in synthetic organic chemistry is essential, and in particular in peptide synthesis.

If you are interested in submitting an application for this project, please complete an Expression of Interest.

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