News Release

New protocol to develop compound to treat disorders of the central nervous system is more efficient

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Chemical Society

Local company wins presidential award

Washington, D.C. - Eli Lilly and Company, based in Indianapolis, Ind., received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award today for its design of a more efficient, less waste-producing synthesis of a central nervous compound, still in the early stages of development. The awards were presented to five companies or individuals from a nationwide pool.

"Green chemistry" is chemistry designed to reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. By redesigning the synthesis of this drug candidate, Lilly has decreased the amount of solvent required, eliminated the use of a hazardous oxidizing agent, and increased the overall yield of the process.

"Lilly is a company that applies leading-edge technology in its search for innovative new drugs that meet unmet medical needs of people worldwide," said August M. Watanabe, M.D., executive vice president, science and technology at Eli Lilly and Company. "It naturally follows that we should dedicate similar resources to protecting the quality of our environment. We're delighted to receive this award, which recognizes the success of these efforts by our employees."

An independent panel of experts chose the winners as demonstrating practical as well as innovative ways to significantly reduce pollution at its sources. The panel is selected by the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, as part of its participation in the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the awards. Now in its fourth year, the awards program is part of President Clinton's Reinventing Environmental Regulations Initiative to encourage public-private partners to create innovative ways to protect the environment without the need for regulatory controls. The EPA, in participation with the National Science Foundation, also funds about $7 million annually for research grants dedicated to green chemistry.

Peter D. Robertson, Acting Deputy Administrator for the U.S. EPA, presented the awards during a ceremony at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.

A nonprofit organization with a membership of nearly 159,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.



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