# Novel biomaterial for enantiomer separation

> **NIH NIH R43** · BONDWELL TECHNOLOGIES LP · 2022 · $275,766

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The development of methods for the separation, analysis and resolution of chiral drugs is of
important interest for pharmaceutical development. Two enantiomers of the same compound may
have the same physical or chemical properties, but show marked differences in how they interact
in a human system (i.e., regarding their pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics and
metabolism). Thus, the chiral separation of drugs is important to eliminate the unwanted
enantiomer from the preparation. Separation of enantiomers is typically achieved by high-
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) where a chiral selector is used in a chiral stationary
phase (CSP). CSPs can be composed of several types of molecules, including polysaccharides
(i.e., amylose and cellulose) and proteins (e.g., albumin, enzymes), among others. Only a handful
of proteins have been investigated for use as HPLC CSPs despite their unique enantioselective
properties. Unfortunately current, protein-based CSPs have low loading capacity, are expensive
to prepare, and have limited stability. There is clearly a market need for enzyme and protein-
based CSP separation methods with higher loading capacity, less degradation and extended shelf
life. Based on market research interviews that we have conducted through NSF’s I-Corps program
on our platform biomaterial technology, it was made clear that the technology for chiral columns
has not changed and that innovation in the field was desired. Bondwell Technologies aims to
develop a novel high-capacity protein-based selector for use as a CSP based on our innovative
biomaterial. The unique qualities of our biomaterial addresses all of current limitations of chiral
CBHs. During this proposed Phase I feasibility effort, we will first express the chiral selector
enzyme cellobiohydrolase (CBH I) and form our biomaterials, We will test the enzyme in the
biomaterial for function to ensure correct folding. We will then prepare our material to be used as
a CSP. Finally, we will test for the ability of our biomaterial to separate enantiomers of the beta-
bocking drugs, propranolol and alprenolol.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10385251
- **Project number:** 1R43GM145098-01
- **Recipient organization:** BONDWELL TECHNOLOGIES LP
- **Principal Investigator:** Christi Parham
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $275,766
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-04 → 2024-05-03

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10385251

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10385251, Novel biomaterial for enantiomer separation (1R43GM145098-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10385251. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*