Catalysis as a Key Technology for the Development and Implementation of Cost-Competitive and Sustainable Production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

Catalysis plays a central role in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), offering enhanced efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability in modern pharmaceutical manufacturing. The demand for greener and more cost-effective synthesis routes has positioned catalytic methods—particularly asymmetric, enzymatic, and transition-metal catalysis—at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation. This article explores the various types of catalysis used in API production, discusses process design considerations, and highlights future perspectives for catalysis in the pharmaceutical sector.