Route Selection

Synthetic Route Selection for Smarter and Sustainable Routes

We design and evaluate synthetic routes that balance cost, chance of technical success, sustainability, and manufacturability, giving you confidence that your molecule is on the right path from the start  

Synthetic Route Selection
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Choosing the wrong route early on wastes time, money, and resources. Poor routes can collapse at scale and can stall even the most promising programmes. Our industry-leading route scouting removes this risk and eliminates guesswork.  

By combining retrosynthetic planning, chance of technical success,  parallel route scouting, and cost/PMI modelling, we identify scalable, sustainable routes that work in the real world, not just on paper. With input from our analytical, catalysis, and solid-state experts from the outset, your project moves forward with fewer surprises and greater confidence.  

A Smarter Way to Select Your Route
Discovery & Early Development
Feasibility screens and retrosynthetic analysis rapidly generate a shortlist of viable strategies of scalable, sustainable routes for candidate progression.
Chance of Technical Success
Our COTS tool scores each route step for confidence and risk, removing bias and highlighting challenges early. The result is a clear, data-led view of which routes are most likely to succeed.
Costing
We estimate relative route costs based on length, reagent pricing, yields, and manufacturing strategy, balancing innovation with commercial viability from the outset.
PMI Modelling
Predictive PMI modelling helps us evaluate environmental impact before lab work begins, flagging waste-heavy or hazardous steps and driving greener, more efficient route design.
The path you choose early sets the tone for your programme, that’s why we start with the end-in-mind.

What You Can Achieve

Shorter timelines
Identify optimal routes early
Smarter investment
Select pathways with the best chance of success
Regulatory readiness
Phase-appropriate packages aligned to regulatory expectations
Smoother handovers
CDMO-ready processes from day one
Commercial scalability
Routes designed to hold up at pilot and commercial scale

Sustainable Route Selection

Sustainability is built into our route scouting workflows.

 

  • PMI and carbon metrics – Benchmark each pathway for efficiency and impact
  • Greener reagents and solvents – Bio-based, low-toxicity choices preferred from the outset
  • Catalysis-first strategies – Enabling chemistry to cut steps and energy use
  • Waste reduction – Fewer work-ups, solvent swaps, and inefficient intermediates
  • Aligned to ESG – Metrics mapped to ICH sustainability guidance and investor reporting

 

We ensure that the route you take is not only the most efficient, but also the most sustainable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is synthetic route selection in pharmaceutical research?

Synthetic route selection is the process of designing and evaluating the most efficient pathway to produce a target molecule. At CatSci, this means identifying scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable routes that balance yield, purity, and manufacturability. Our scientists combine retrosynthetic planning, experimental screening, and analytical integration to select the best path from discovery to commercial scale. 

How does CatSci optimise synthetic routes for scalability and sustainability?

CatSci optimises synthetic routes through data-driven design, parallel route screening, and lifecycle PMI modelling. We evaluate yield, impurity control, cost, and environmental metrics to ensure each route is practical and sustainable. Our integrated teams in catalysis, analytical science, and solid-state chemistry help de-risk scale-up and deliver greener, more efficient processes. 

Why is synthetic route selection important in drug manufacturing?

Effective synthetic route selection ensures that a drug’s manufacturing process is safe, reliable, and commercially viable. By establishing robust, reproducible chemistry early, developers can reduce costs, minimise waste, and avoid scale-up failures. CatSci’s approach provides confidence that each route is scientifically sound, regulatory-ready, and aligned with sustainability goals. 

Book a Consultation

Speak directly with our scientists about your development challenges and explore how we can support your programme.