York Enzymologists part of team to win Horizon Prize

The prize recognizes the discovery, characterisation and application of enzymes – ‘RedAms’ - that catalyze a reductive amination reaction, an important reaction in chemical synthesis for the formation of amines, molecules that are important as pharmaceutical compounds and their precursors. Using enzymes to catalyze amine synthesis enables more selective, green and sustainable synthesis of molecules such as rasagiline, used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Synthesis of Parkinson’s disease drug Rasagiline using a RedAm enzyme.

The interdisciplinary nature of the project was crucial to its success. York scientists were able to apply their expertise in molecular biology and protein structure, to help understand how the RedAms work, and suggest ways of improving their activity using protein engineering. The structural work at York was performed by Professor Gideon Grogan, postdoctoral researcher Dr Mahima Sharma and PhD student Henry Man. More work on the enzymology and chemistry was performed at the University of Manchester, led by Professor Nick Turner. Prozomix have discovered many new and different RedAms in nature, allowing their application in the formation of many different amines.  Researchers at GSK worked on scaling up the enzymatic reactions for use in the synthesis of a medicine in its oncology portfolio. As a result of close cooperation between the partners the time from discovery to application was less than four years.

Postdoctoral researcher Dr Mahima Sharma analysing the structure of a RedAm enzyme.

The Horizon Prizes were created in 2020 following an independent review of the Royal Society of Chemistry's recognition programmes. These prizes highlight the most exciting, contemporary chemical science at the cutting edge of research and innovation. In particular, the Horizon Prizes recognise teams or collaborations who are opening up new directions and possibilities in their field, through ground-breaking scientific developments.