Development of a More Sustainable 2nd Generation Route to Peptide-Maleimidocaproyl MonoMethyl Auristatin F (mcMMAF)-the Cytotoxic Payload for Blenrep®, A Novel Antibody Conjugate Drug (ACD) for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

2024 Peter J. Dunn Award for Green Chemistry & Engineering Impact in the Pharmaceutical Industry

GSK’s winning submission demonstrated a more sustainable peptide manufacturing route for maleimidocaproyl monomethyl auristatin F (mcMMAF)—a drug used to treat multiple myeloma, a rare cancer affecting plasma cells. GSK team members being recognized are Danny Mancheno, Ian Andrews, Qiaogong Su, Kenneth Arrington, Mark Mellinger, Gregory Gilmartin, Aleksey Karulin, Anthony Nocket, John Kowalski, John Woodard (Collegeville, Pa.), and Chris Thickitt (Stevenage, UK). The first-generation route had already been commercialized and filed with the FDA however, GSK determined a more efficient route was needed. The team took on this complex challenge and developed a 2nd generation route that reduced solvent consumption by 16,160 kgs for every kilogram, greenhouse gas emissions by 71 percent, and energy consumption by 76 percent. Additionally, the route eliminated all single-use silica gel chromatographic separations, achieving an overall 76 percent reduction in Process Mass Intensity (PMI).