Codexis develops and commercializes active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and pharmaceutical intermediates using its proprietary biocatalytic processes. A pharmaceutical intermediate is a chemical compound formed in a stage between the raw materials and the final API. It is often an essential stepping stone to the final product, and is the point at which chirality is first introduced into the molecule. The overwhelming majority of APIs have at least one chiral center, which has lead to growing demand for stereochemically pure intermediates as regulatory requirements increase for improved product purity.

Using proprietary biocatalysts, Codexis manufactures virtually 100% chirally pure intermediates and APIs. These are often manufactured directly at high purity, compared to low purity materials that must be isolated from traditional chemical processes. Codexis technology can significantly reduce the cost and capital expenditure of the desired intermediate with improved purity while reducing environmental waste.