At Evotec innovation and sustainability are at the core of our scientific strategy. To remain at the forefront of technology the Green Chemistry working group plays a central role in designing safer, cleaner, and more sustainable chemical processes across the entire product life cycle: from reaction set-up to purification.

One of our missions is to minimize or eliminate the use of hazardous and CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Reprotoxic) substances, reduce waste, and lower our overall carbon footprint while maintaining excellence in drug discovery. This involves careful optimization at each stage of synthesis:

• Reaction set-up: solvent replacement, catalyst loading, and reagent stoichiometry adjustment.
• Work-up: solvent choice optimization, minimization of waste streams, and avoidance of harmful reagents.
• Purification: preference for greener solvents, reverse-phase methods, and solid-based techniques such as recrystallization or trituration.

A major focus has been on solvent replacement, promoting safer, bio-based, and renewable alternatives. Evotec has effectively replaced conventional hazardous solvents such as DMF, DCM, and dioxane/THF with greener alternatives, as highlighted in the poster presented at the JCO 2025 Congress. These substitutions have delivered comparable or improved reaction yields while significantly reducing toxicity and environmental impact.

Through these initiatives, Evotec demonstrates its commitment to sustainable innovation and the practical application of green chemistry principles.