NSF Grant Supports UVA–Johns Hopkins Collaboration to Improve Pharmaceutical Catalysts

The National Science Foundation has awarded funding to support a collaboration between the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University aimed at developing more efficient, longer-lasting catalysts for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Led by Jason Bates (UVA) with collaborator Brandon Bukowski (Johns Hopkins), the project seeks to anchor molecular catalysts to solid materials like zeolites, providing a structured environment that boosts stability, extends catalyst lifetimes, and reduces waste.

This approach addresses key limitations of traditional free-floating catalysts, which degrade quickly and complicate large-scale drug production. By enabling continuous-flow manufacturing, a cleaner, faster, and more adaptable process, the team hopes to make pharmaceutical production more sustainable and responsive, including for orphan drugs, emergency needs, and remote communities.

The grant will also support student training at both institutions, offering opportunities in experimental research, computational modeling, and cross-university exchange.

Submitted by Jason Gigax on
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