Page 171 - CW E-Magazine (1-7-2025)

Interview Interview

approach generates real-world experi-  Future-proof: Catalexis’ digital How scalable is Catalexis? Can it One of the biggest challenges in typically available in a lab’s inventory Looking ahead, we envision a world
mental data and then leverages AI to library, which already includes over support high-throughput environ- catalysis today is the sheer number of during manual testing. where the currently disparate digital
Expo & Conference News
recommend the most suitable catalyst 420 catalysts, is continuously grow- ments or smaller, more targeted lab potential catalysts available. Each reaction tools we are developing and using
for a given reaction. ing to provide even more precise operations equally? may respond diff erently to each cata- What’s next for Catalexis and Merck’s within our own research can coalesce
and targeted catalyst recommen- lyst and fi nding the most suitable one broader vision in the space of AI and into a seamless digital ecosystem.
By signifi cantly reducing the num- dations in the future. Catalexis is designed to work in terms of yield, price, and availabi- Life Sciences innovation? Imagine fully integrating our reaction
ber of test reactions required and en- seamlessly in both high-throughput lity can be extremely time-consuming optimization tools like Catalexis and
hancing precision in selection, Catalexis Catalexis is described as an AI- environments and smaller, more tar- and resource intensive. Additionally, Catalexis is just the beginning of BayBE with the drug discovery lead
enables faster, smarter, and more enabled tool – can you elaborate geted lab operations. In large-scale the situation becomes even more com- Merck’s broader strategy to harness the fi nding tool AIDDISON, the best-in-
scalable molecule development, rede- on how AI is integrated into the environments, Catalexis accelerates the plex when developing new molecules, power of AI to advance Life Sciences. class retrosynthesis solution Synthia
fi ning catalyst discovery for the 21st platform? What kind of data does it catalyst selection process, allowing which often require numerous reactions Building on the success of Catalexis, and the newly launched Chemistwin™
century. learn from? faster screening of viable options with and sometimes multiple catalysts. we aim to expand our AI-driven solu- based on digital reference materials for
greater effi ciency. For smaller labs, tions to streamline R&D workfl ows – Pharma QC.
In what ways does Catalexis stand Catalexis uses a hybrid approach it off ers fl exibility by requiring only Merck’s Catalexis is a transforma- from predictive modelling to process
apart from other catalyst screening that combines physical test kits with reaction yield data, ensuring privacy, tive solution to these challenges. It optimisation and beyond. This includes Our vision is to further drive
or optimization tools currently AI-powered software to help resear- while still delivering accurate results. helps the customer fi nd a well-suited integrating AI into platform-based innovation across the digital land-
available in the market? chers choose the right catalysts more Based on this data, the AI suggests catalyst for their reaction faster and approaches, leveraging our rich data scape of chemistry and unlock new
quickly and effi ciently. This approach the 20 most suitable catalysts from with fewer manual test cycles than resources, and fostering collaborations levels of efficiency, precision, and
Catalyst screening and optimiza- aims to reduce the gap between hands- hundreds, helping researchers fi nd the before. Additionally, it also opens up that accelerate scientifi c discovery and innovation, ultimately empowering
tion have traditionally been a resource- on laboratory testing and advanced data right fi t faster and with fewer manual access to explore a broader range of cata- bring innovative solutions to market researchers to push the boundaries
heavy and time-consuming process, analysis, allowing chemists to make tests. lysts, going beyond the limited options faster. of possibility.
vered by experts from a wide range
running the session ‘Unlocking the
able individuals driving innovation
of cosmetic organisations, who will
and success in the Asia Pacific beauty
often driven by trial-and-error experi- more informed decisions in less time benefits of multifunctional 1,3-pro-
Interestingly, Catalexis exists on the
mentation. Catalexis allows chemists with fewer resources. panediol to maximize performance’.
take attendees through a variety of
sector, including R&D professionals,
scientists, innovators, and role
to approach catalyst selection with formulation techniques focusing on small scale – requiring only small test
Homing in on a key focus area for
models. The 9 Faces will be selected everything from foundation, UV, anti- formulators, Ms. Gwendolyn Neoh at Chemical Weekly Buyers’ Guide
AI is integrated into the Catalexis reactions to power the predictive algo-
a smarter, faster, and more effi cient
by an expert judging panel and the acne and pore care to suncare pro- Ashland will be running the session
solution. Unlike traditional tools on platform through a data-driven approach rithm; but the utility of Catalexis is seen
winners will receive a certificate, ducts, propanediol and sustainable on ‘AI driven 4D defences – Vitamin www.cwbg.in
the market, Catalexis stands apart from that complements hands-on labo- most prominen tly on large scale. As a
cleansing.
recognition, and will be honoured at
D boosting @ hydrating jelly mask for
other catalyst screening or optimization ratory work. The process begins with reaction goes from bench to process www.cwbg.in
acne and pore care’ on 5 November. On
the ‘In-cosmetics Asia Awards’. The
tools currently available in the market the user conducting 23 manual experi- scale, the need to optimize conditions Pocket-Friendly Pay-as-you-use Subscription Plans
awards celebrate the most innova-
In the APAC market, foundations
the same day, Mr. Carlos Ilao, Busi-
in several distinct ways: ments using a curated set of catalysts because more important and where the
with a lightweight fluid texture are
tive ingredients from the ‘Innovation
ness Development Manager APAC at
Saving resources: On average, it from the test kit. The reaction yield information gleaned by Catalexis can

Zone’ and ‘Spotlight On’ categories. gaining popularity but it can be dif- Clariant Southeast Asia, will work Opt for a scheme that suits your needs and make best use of India’s most authentic directory
can reduce the time, materials, and data from these tests is then uploaded be most powerfully used.
ficult for formulators to achieve low
with participants on sunscreen formu-
viscosity, high coverage products. Ms.
labour cost required to fi nd a suit-
‘Formulation Lab’ highlights to the AI software. Once the data is lation in the ‘Encapsulated UV filters for sourcing chemicals and related products.
In-cosmetics Asia also announced Thalia Nghiem, from Kobo Products for ultra- light sunscreen with high UV Subscription plans
able catalyst by around two-thirds submitted, the algorithm analyses and What are some of the biggest chal-
an extensive programme for its ‘For- Asia Pacific will explore this in her protection’ session. Meanwhile, Ms. Plan Hours of usage INR* USD*
compares this against a digital library lenges you see today in the fi eld of
(66%).
mulation Lab’ – the interactive labo- session on 5 November, where partici- Haruna Sawaguchi, Technical Market-
 Data privacy: Customers are not of over 420 catalysts, each with de- catalysis, and how does Merck aim Plan 25 25 1,500 25
ratories which offer formulators and pants will create a water-in-oil liquid ing Division at Nikko Chemicals will
required to share any sensitive infor-
R&D staff a hands-on opportunity to tailed “digital fi ngerprints” comprising to solve them through innovations Plan 50 50 2,500 50 Web-Based
foundation with the added benefits of
enable attendees to create a water-
mation, as Catalexis only requires hundreds of chemical variables. Based like Catalexis?
enhance their formulation skills. a smooth feel and blurred pores. based combination sunscreen (SPF Plan 100 100 4,500 75 Directory
minimal data input. on this analysis, the AI predicts the top 50+, PA ++ in-vitro) in the workshop, Plan 150 150 6,000 100
Catalysis is an integral process,
Flexibility: Catalexis generates a 20 most suitable catalysts for the user’s
 Running across all three days of Meanwhile, on 6 November, Mr. Sean ’Skinified’ serum sunscreen with com- on Indian
shortlist of the top 20 most suitable specifi c reaction, signifi cantly reducing especially in drug development and
the event, 10 sessions will be deli- Gahan from Primient Covation will be bination UV filter system’. *Plus GST @ 18% applicable Chemical Industry
catalysts from a database of hun- the need for trial-and-error testing. life sciences. However, despite its and Trade
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL central role in accelerating chemical For more information or for a FREE trial contact:
dreds. This helps chemists quickly
In-cosmetics Global’s new report explores growing Mr. Kiran Iyer Mr. Abhishek Vora
The AI in Catalexis primarily learns reactions and allowing the synthesis
identify options that not only work
of complex molecules, the fi eld faces
well chemically but also align with by analysing reaction yield data, identi-
role of SMEs in beauty industry kiran@chemicalweekly.com abhi@chemicalweekly.com Chemicals & Search & download
cost, availability, and practical fying patterns in catalyst performance persistent challenges in effi ciency,
considerations. to improve its recommendations over scalability, and accessibility. With Chemical Weekly Database Pvt. Ltd. related products / data on 8,500+
High success rate: Internal and time. Importantly, it protects user pri-
sme-mini-report.html) explores the
 The leading personal care tial: Meet the SMEs Driving every chemical reaction being unique, 602-B, Godrej Coliseum, K.J. Somaiya Hospital Road, Equipment & Manufacturers /
testing
indicate
external
that
Innovation in Cosmetics’. The
impact and influence that small and
ingredients industry exhibition, vacy by requiring only basic yield data, identifying the most eff ective cata- Behind Everard Nagar, Sion (E), Mumbai - 400 022. Instrumentation / Dealers / Indentors /
Catalexis recommends a suitable without needing any sensitive reaction lyst continues to be a complex and
In-cosmetics Global, has released report (more info at: https://www. medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Phone: +91-22-24044471 72 Consultants Merchant Exporters
catalyst about 85% of the time.
are having on a market segment
in-cosmetics.com/global/en-gb/lp/
a new report on ‘Unlocking Poten- details. resource-intensive task.
46 Home, Personal & Institutional Care India October 2024
170 Chemical Weekly July 1, 2025 Chemical Weekly July 1, 2025 171
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