Synthesis of Enantiopure Drugs and Drug Intermediates by Immobilized Lipase-Catalysis

Enantiomerically pure product synthesis plays a key role in production of pharmaceuticals. The application of biocatalytic approaches represents a convenient and sustainable way for this purpose. The enormous potential of enzymes for the transformation of synthetic chemicals with high chemo-, regio- and enantioselectivity is on increasing awareness. In particular, lipases show a high versatility to recognize non-natural substrates being successfully applied in regio- and stereoselective biotransformations. The immobilization technology on lipases is not only a requisite for the industrial implementation but it has been a great methodology to alter their catalytic properties to obtain highly enantio- and regioselective biocatalysts in the enantioselective synthesis of chiral drugs or drug intermediates. This review focuses on showing some of the latest advances on the use of immobilized lipases on pharmaceutical biotransformations.