INCEPTION: INdustrial roboChEmic PlaTform ImplementatiON

In INCEPTION (INdustrial roboChEmic PlaTform ImplementatiON) Zuyd Hogeschool, the Noël Research Group (University of Amsterdam) and partners will develop and implement automated robotic platforms relying on advanced AI algorithms to accelerate reaction optimization, based on the RoboChem platform. Thus, synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients within the drug development process will be optimized. This will diminish the time-to-market for new medicines and improve the sustainability of this development process.
To develop and implement these RoboChemic platforms, a consortium of chemical and high-tech partners will cover all aspects related to required hard and software, e.g. automation (Beartree Automation), reactors (Chemtrix) and analysis (Mettler-Toledo). The development and implementation will be guided by pharmaceutical Contract Research Organization end-users Ardena and Symeres. The mix of partners from academia (Noël Research Group), Center of Expertise CHILL, Zuyd and multiple companies ensures an efficient and integrated development.
The overarching question: “How can AI-assisted optimization and RoboChemic platforms efficiently be implemented in the chemical industry?” and research question: “What improvements on set-ups, programs, and capabilities are necessary for optimal industrial use?” will be answered by:
i) Extending the applicability of RoboChemic platforms in industry by exploiting the modularity of its hardware control platform by incorporating additional equipment, and exploiting its software flexibility by adding optimization objectives and human-in-the-loop functionalities. (WP2)
ii) Exploring identification of pharmaceutical relevant side-products, and subsequent rapid optimization. (WP3)
iii) Enabling efficient upscaling using data at small scale by coupled learning at higher scales. (WP4)
iv) Allowing enzymatic catalyst screening by an automated platform. (WP4)
v) Accelerating uptake of RoboChemic platforms in industry by dissemination of demonstrator applications and by evaluating a prospective start-up implementing and servicing RoboChemic platforms. (WP5)
Thus, by implementing RoboChemic platforms in industry we will make the pharmaceutical CROs and equipment companies more competitive.