What are Some Examples of Catalysis in Drug Development?
Several well-known medications owe their existence to catalytic processes. For example, the synthesis of statins, which are used to lower cholesterol, involves key steps that are catalyzed by enzymes. Similarly, many antibiotics and antivirals are produced using catalytic methods that ensure high purity and efficacy. The development of cancer drugs often relies on asymmetric catalysis to ensure that only the desired enantiomer of a drug is produced, which can have significant therapeutic benefits.