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Among different classes of antibiotics, beta-lactam antibiotics are among the most used medicines. Amoxicillin, a penicillin-type beta-lactam antibiotic, occupies a prominent position due to its broad spectrum of activity, high absorption rate and stability under challenging conditions. The traditional production route of penicillin type of antibiotics follows a chemical route, generating non-recyclable wastes that are highly harmful to the environment. 

Centrient Pharmaceuticals was among the pioneers of enzymatic API production of such penicillin-type beta-lactam antibiotics as Amoxicillin and Ampicillin, thanks to the proprietary enzymatic technology developed by our scientists in-house. We manufacture our enzymatically produced Amoxicillin Purimox® in our facilities in India, Spain and Mexico, providing access to medicines to patients worldwide thanks to our geographically spread production. One of our key facilities in the Americas celebrated a remarkable milestone this autumn – the 14th birthday of the Aguila project completion with the first enzymatically produced Amoxicillin Purimox® commercial shipment.

I am proud to share that our enzymatically produced Amoxicillin Purimox® has a reduced ecological footprint compared to traditional chemical production. We minimize the use of harmful organic solvents and chemicals and treat our waste streams responsibly.

Cruz Cuellar, Centrient site Director Americas

The history of the Aguila project first dates back to 1998. Back then, a joint venture between DSM, Centrient´s predecessor parental company, and Benavides picked the Fersinsa plant to develop the first enzymatic Amoxicillin in Mexico. During this project, the name Purimox was born. However, the enzymatic process was not fully developed yet, so the project was not approved. Our scientists kept experimenting with the enzyme ‘Assamblese’, assembling the two molecules – 6-APA, a key intermediate ingredient in penicillin production, and a side chain. Their persistence paid off, and in 2008, the Aguila project was approved, and the set-up of the production process started at our Fersinsa manufacturing site in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The first batch produced in the plant was on October 13th of, 2009, followed by the first commercial shipment a month after. 

“With minor investments and utilizing the machinery originally used for the chemical production as much as possible, we doubled the actual capacity of the Aguila project compared to the original design. I am proud to share that our enzymatically produced Amoxicillin Purimox® has a reduced ecological footprint compared to traditional chemical production. We minimize the use of harmful organic solvents and chemicals and treat our waste streams responsibly, eliminating the emissions of harmful pollutants to the water bodies. In line with our Sustainability Roadmap 2008 - 2020, we as a company achieved a 50% improvement in reactive CO2 efficiency, 45% energy reduction and 25% water reduction. These are all incredible sustainability millstones,” Cruz Cuellar, Centrient site Director Americas noted.

Amoxicillin tops the list of most popular generic antibiotics. It is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in children and adults and is on the WHO List of Essential Medicines. We at Centrient Pharmaceuticals take pride in leading in the reliable and sustainable manufacturing of essential medicines and their delivery to patients worldwide with projects like Aguila in Mexico. We help save the lives of millions of people around the world annually – and do so in a sustainable, responsible manner.