Technology based on tailor-made whole cell biocatalyst converts 5-monosubstituted hydantoins into either an L- or D-amino acids in one pot with up to 100% chemical and optical yield
The 2003 Frost and Sullivan product of the year award for the fine chemicals industry is awarded to Degussa for its L-hydantoinase enzymatic process for single-step production of L-amino acids used in the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industry.
Prior to hydantoinase technology, non-natural L-amino acids could only be obtained through a complex chemical process that consumed excessive amounts of energy and chemicals.
Backed by an established record of product innovation, the award recipient successfully responded to consumer demand for a simpler, more effective process.
Collaborating with Prof C Syldatk, a pioneer in the hydantoinase field at University of Stuttgart, and Prof F H Arnold, a chemistry professor at Caltech, Degussa designed and developed a highly versatile platform technology based on tailor-made whole cell biocatalyst that convert 5-monosubstituted hydantoins into either an L- or D-amino acids in one pot with up to 100% chemical and optical yield. "Proteinogenic L-amino acids made in this way have enormous advantages.
"The process is easy, efficient and costs involved are minimal which has given Degussa enormous advantages over its competitors," explains Frost and Sullivan research analyst Raju Adhikari.
Degussa has already won significant contracts to manufacture amino acids using L-hydantoinase enzymatic process and has several project tie-ups with both big and small pharmaceutical companies.
The company now possesses a clear competitive advantage in the market.
Strong in-house R and D supported by an over-$47 million budget has underpinned Degussa's trailblazing product development efforts.
The visionary 'Project House System' has a strategic research orientation and is deeply involved in exploring technologies with future potential.
It has encouraged closer interaction of different business units for project discussion and growth-oriented R and D planning.
"Degussa's success is not only based on its good track record on traditional manufacturing applications, but also on solid R and D and its prestigious background of being an innovator," notes Dr Adhikari.
"Degussa will continue to be a leader in the field." Selection of the Frost and Sullivan award winner was based on extensive primary research among market participants, customers and suppliers as well as on secondary and technology research.
Industry participants were ranked based on specific measurement criteria that included degree of product innovation, product price and quality, estimated market penetration rate, acceptance of the product by intended users and competitive advantage of new product in industry.
By excelling against these criteria, and emerging as 'the company that has best demonstrated the ability to develop and/or advance products with more innovative capabilities than competing vendors and products', Degussa was the undisputed choice for the 2003 Frost and Sullivan product of the year award.
