Alongside customer recognition, R&D is a major commitment at Embio Research Centre. We offer responsive services and fast turn around from laboratory to pilot plant synthesis and commercial scale up, to keep projects on track. Reliability, innovation and respect for intellectual property rights are the principles inspiring our approach to Research.

Key Competencies...

• Fermentation / Bio-transformation
• Chiral Chemistry
• Catalytic Hydrogenation
• Handling Controlled substances

Research and Development Services

• Advanced chemical synthesis through bio-transformation and chemical technology
• Microbial fermentation involving Yeast, bacterial, fungal upto 150 L scale with downstream processing
• Contract Research and Development involving Route identification, Unit Process and Operation optimization including particle size analysis

Embio has set up a full-fledged, state-of-art independent R&D centre - Embio Research Centre with organic and bio-technology wings and a comprehensive analytical laboratory as well. The new R&D Centre was inaugurated in the first week of February 2003 by Dr. S. Sivaram, Director, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.

Embio Research Centre is recognized by Department of Science and Technology ( Government Of India). It is manned by about 50 trained scientists encompassing fields of Organic chemistry,Microbiology,Biotechnology,Biochemistry,Pharmacy.
Biotechnology division supports the plant in the understanding and upgradation  of  the running process of biotransformation in all its facets. It serves as the   global watchdog for emerging technologies anywhere in the  world for existing process.It also endeavours to herald in greener processes based on enzymes to replace existing processes.Biotechnology division,  functions under the purview of  a functional IBSC ( which has a DBT nominee) and thus has the regulatory framework and updating mechanism in place, to handle GMO’s .

Synthetic Chemistry Division
The synthetic chemistry division undertakes mainly two activities: 1) optimization of existing processes for yield improvement and cost reduction, 2) development of processes for new APIs and intermediates. The main focus of work is on chiral chemistry and development of chiral auxiliaries based on ephedrine and tartaric acid templates. The core strength of this division is handling of controlled substance API and intermediates. Reaction capabilities include catalytic hydrogenation, metal-organic reagents, chiral resolutions, use of hazardous chemicals like thionyl chloride, sodium cyanide etc.

Analytical Division
Analytical division provides analytics support to synthetic and biotechnology divisions. The division has HPLCs, GCs, polarimeters, UV and FTIR spectrophotometers, autotitrator etc. Analytical method development by chiral GC and HPLC is a major strength of this division.

Pilot Plant: Embio Research Centre has a fully equipped pilot plant with glass lined and reactors and SS hydrogenator. It also has a class 100,000 grade pharma zone for final powder processing of API molecules. The hydrogenator has a capacity of high pressure upto 6kg/cm2. Utilities include cooling tower, vacuum, steam, chilled brine (-15°) compressed air etc. In addition, pilot plant also has high vacuum distillation facility at 50 L capacity and a vacuum of < 1 torr.

Biotechnology capabilities :
The capabilities of Embio Biotech division includes –

• Experience in handling bacteria, yeasts and fungi including GMO’s falling under Category 1.
• Biotransformation using whole cell including Genetically modified organisms (Category-1).
• Transformations using pure and crude enzymes.
• Bioprocess optimization including feedstock optimization, metabolic optimization in liquid, solid and liquid surface cultivations.
•  Immobilization of microbial cells / enzymes ( cellulose,  CLEA, Adsorption, Polymer )and enzyme kinetics.
•  Downstream processing including Chromatographic purifications,counter  current extraction,TFF ( Micro/Nano/Ultra/RO)
•  Bioprocess waste treatment : Anaerobic treatment process understanding and optimization.

Biotechnology division
INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES

• cGMP Sterile fermentation 20L and 150 L capacity  with CIP,SIP and SCADA control, housed in a ISO7( Class 10000 ) area. Parameters(DO,Redox,pH,antifoam) control with Exhaust Gas analysis.
•  Down stream processing facilities with capacity of 50 – 100 L scale which includes, Counter current extraction, Cross flow filtration (micro, ultra, nano and RO), Centrifugation, distillation etc.
• Facilities to undertake laboratory research activities including shake flask studies and screening activities, with all necessary  instruments including various shakers, ultra centrifuges, Homogenizer, Electrophoresis units etc.
• Functional culture bank for bacteria /yeast and DNA with storage facility of  -80°C and -40°C .
• Facility to comply with requirement of handling biosafety lavel 2 Category organism including class 10000 laboratory with biosafety cabinets etc.
• Access for support :

a) Analytical division –GC’s,Digital Polarimeter,HPLC’s with RI,UV,DA,chiral detectors. Expertise in chiral analysis.

b) Organic Chemistry division- with trained experienced scientist to augment understanding in chiral chemistry and provide tailor made intermediates.

c) Research Institutions – permanent longterm tieups to provide insights to research problems.