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Researchers develop new material that can lower drug prices
AshPhos, the material is a ligand developed by associate professor Sachin Handa and graduate researcher Ashish Dusunge, that improves the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds, which are integral to more than half of all modern medicines.
Sachin Handa and Ashish Dusunge show their new chemical tool, AshPhos, in Handa's lab at the University of Missouri. / Image- University of Missouri
Indian-origin researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new chemical tool which aims to enhance the efficiency of pharmaceutical manufacturing and lower the cost of prescription medications.
AshPhos, the material is a ligand developed by associate professor Sachin Handa and graduate researcher Ashish Dusunge, that improves the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds, which are integral to more than half of all modern medicines. Unlike existing ligands, AshPhos is made from inexpensive, readily available materials and demonstrates superior efficiency.
AshPhos facilitates carbon-nitrogen bond formation by stabilizing metal ions in chemical reactions, specifically in Buchwald–Hartwig aminations. The ligand binds to a metal atom, transforming it into a catalyst that efficiently brings together carbon- and nitrogen-containing molecules.
“It acts as a 'boss' by directing the metal what to do, ensuring the metal stays active and selective during the process,” Handa explained. AshPhos also has a unique ability to reattach to the metal catalyst when exposed to heat, ensuring continuous catalytic activity.
“What makes AshPhos special from other existing ligands is that it’s made from inexpensive and easy-to-find materials, and it is far better in terms of activity and efficiency,” said Handa, who was hired under the university’s MizzouForward initiative in 2023.
The research team collaborated with Biohaven Pharmaceuticals to develop the tool with sustainability in mind. “It’s eco-friendly because it’s made with less waste and uses materials from renewable sources,” Handa added. “It will also make medicine production cheaper, helping more people afford the medications they need.”
Handa, originally from Patti, Amritsar, India, emphasized his personal motivation for making medicines more affordable. “Witnessing people in India struggle to access essential health care during my childhood continues to motivate me to use my expertise as a chemist to create solutions that benefit society as a whole,” he said.
Beyond pharmaceuticals, AshPhos has potential applications in clean energy and environmental sustainability. Researchers are exploring its role in producing nanomaterials for hydrogen evolution, a crucial step in the development of renewable energy sources.
Another area of interest is using AshPhos to degrade PFAS, commonly known as ‘forever chemicals.’ The team aims to develop a catalyst that could help break down these persistent pollutants.
The research, titled “AshPhos Ligand: Facilitating Challenging Animations in Five- and Six-Membered Heteroaryl Halides Using Cyclic Secondary and Bulky Amines,” was published in JACS Au, a journal of the American Chemical Society. Co-author David Leahy from Biohaven Pharmaceuticals contributed to the study.
The project received funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation and has attracted commercial interest from companies in the U.S. and Europe.
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