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First generation metathesis catalysts
1995
R. H. Grubbs, P. Schwab and S.T. Nguyen file a patent application on the first generation ruthenium based metathesis catalysts, which soon become commercially available.
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Second generation metathesis catalysts
1998
W.A. Hermann, W. Schattenmann and T. Weskamp file a patent application for ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts incorporating NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands. The second generation catalysts display enhanced activity and stability, significantly increasing applicability of olefin metathesis in industrial processes.
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Nobel Prize for metathesis
2005
R.R. Schrock, Y. Chauvin and R.H. Grubbs receive The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis.
“With catalytic metathesis the synthesis routers are shorter, giving more product and fewer restproducts. This leads to cleaner and more environmentally-friendly production.” - The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2005, press release.
AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File. -
Industrial validation
2005
Boehringer Ingelheim reports the first large scale synthesis of the clinically validated hepatitis C virus inhibitor (Ciluprevir) using metathesis. The new technology proves to be an excellent tool for the synthesis of complex API.
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Foundation of Apeiron Synthesis
2009
Grela’s research group notices growing interest in metathesis catalysts. A group of researchers decides to use their expertise and meet the increasing demand from the chemical industry – Apeiron Synthesis is founded.
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Customised R&D services
2013
Utilising our metathesis know-how, our R&D team begins assisting industrial clients in projects employing metathesis catalysts. Co-creation services and technical support are aimed at faster evaluation of project’s potential and increasing chances for large-scale implementation.
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Establishment of a US branch
2014
The growing number of clients from the US market encourages Apeiron’s management to open a branch in Cambridge, MA. Having boots on the ground allows us for direct contact with clients and better understanding of their needs.
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New class of CAAC catalysts
2015
The desire to constantly improve our products and successfully fulfil the needs of chemical industry is manifested by the development of a new family of CAAC (cyclic alkyl amino carbene) catalysts: UltraCat, UltraNitroCat, and UltraLatMet. The employment of CAAC catalysts significantly reduces the cost of metathesis processes.
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Launch of production facilities
2016
The expansion of our production capabilities marks an important milestone for our company. Apeiron can now offer its products in industrial quantities.
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First industrial implementation
2017
Successful cooperation with a pharmaceutical partner results in the selection of the most efficient metathesis catalyst for the synthesis of the desired API. First shipments of our product to an industrial process commence.
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Solutions for functional polymers
2019
Our scientists develop monomer formulations based on latent catalysts to give polymers of unique properties that meet stringent customer requirements. Design of highly tuneable formulations leads to the first industrial implementation in the polymer sector.
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Adding value to renewables
2020
Our product portoflio is further expanded through the development of the new generation catalysts within CAAC (cyclic alkyl amino carbene) family. Their superior performance in ethenolysis enables economical synthesis of value-added intermediates from renewable feedstocks.
