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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Contact: Julie Malveaux
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American Chemical Society
28-Jun-1999