Lucas Pirmo Lillelund
University
University of Copenhagen (KU)
Company
Novo Nordisk A/S
Project title
Water Treatment Technology Exploration in API Manufacturing
Project description
A typical process for the core production of an API – Insulin consists of three main stages: fermentation, recovery and purification. Considering a process flow, the fermentation stage is where the biochemical reaction occurs to produce the desired API. The recovery stage separates the biomass from the fermentation mixture, while the purification stage removes undesired compounds to obtain the API at a desired purity.
As the API purity increases, as well as its constraints, from fermentation to purification, so does the water quality constraints, such as conductivity and bioburden. The water source for the manufacturing of API is from the municipality, referred to as raw water. The raw water is then treated using different types of water treatment technology to meet the water quality constraints at the different stages in the production process. To ensure product quality and sustainable manufacturing of API different types of water technology is used throughout the
process landscape.
What was your motivation for becoming a Helix Lab Fellow?
My motivation for becoming a fellow stems from my love for science and organic solutions alongside the tremendous community I was going into and skills I would gain. As a student of ecology and environmental sciences, I have learned a lot about the dynamics of sustainable and well-functioning ecosystems and the opportunity to potentially optimise, but at the least understand, the industrial ecology of ground water in one of the most important pharmaceutical companies in the world, seemed to rich to pass up.
What is the most exciting part of being a Helix Lab Fellow?
Difficult to choose. However, certainly going to the office at Novo Nordisk and working on my thesis in a very high performing team is extremely exciting. The people, the environment and the intellectual challenges keep me on my toes and make me a better person every single day. Beyond that, I love the people in the Helix Lab community - they are are all unique and caring individuals with a passion for bettering the world. There’s truly not a dull moment.
What perspectives do you see for your future after being a Helix Lab Fellow?
After being a Helix Lab Fellow, I hope to have gained a tremendous amount of professional skills both in an office setting and in an advanced laboratory with cutting-edge technology. Frankly, afterwards, I see the world being my oyster, so to speak, having acquired very useful skills/competencies in the context of water treatment (applicable in critical industries), large-scale project management, collaboration, research and development and much more. No doubt I would love to work at Novo Nordisk going forward but regardless I seek to make an impact in the water value chain on a global scale.