A Sustainable Chemo-Enzymatic Approach to the Synthesis of Liraglutide

Abstract

The development of green approaches to peptide synthesis is essential, as peptides are gaining prominence in the pharmaceutical market. Traditional methods often involve harmful solvents and high energy use, prompting a shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue used in the treatment of obesity and type-2 diabetes, has been synthesized through a hybrid chemo-enzymatic approach (CEPS), taking advantage of green solvent mixtures in the synthesis of peptide fragments and of selectivity of a ligase enzyme for their coupling. This method offers great advantages both in the quality of the upstream wastes and in the reduction of solvent volumes in downstream purification, together with the high purity of the target liraglutide.