Next-Generation Manufacturing: The Evolving Role of Biocatalysis in AstraZeneca

Biocatalysis is becoming a strategic manufacturing capability at AstraZeneca, enabling selective transformations under milder conditions and with the potential to reduce waste and resource intensity relative to conventional routes. This review summarizes how AstraZeneca is embedding biocatalysis across the portfolio to support its long-term net-zero commitments. We describe capability building across people, through expansion of cross-site expertise, automated high-throughput experimentation platforms, and academic partnerships that extend innovation and capacity. Case studies show how enzyme identification, optimization, and directed evolution translate into robust, scalable processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients. We close by defining priorities-end-to-end automated workflows and artificial intelligence-enabled design-to shorten enzyme engineering cycles and broaden biocatalysis impact across modalities.