Improving catalytic activity and selectivity

Scala’s active-site design software enabled a cytochrome P450 to reach industrially relevant activity, supporting sustainable chemical production

In collaboration with:

Why it matters

Industrial enzymes are central to greener chemical processes, but their activity is often too low for commercial use. In this case, a cytochrome P450 enzyme was redesigned to deliver a seven-fold boost in catalytic efficiency, demonstrating how Scala’s technology can rapidly optimize enzymes for industrial use, directly supporting the shift toward sustainable manufacturing.

Problem

Repsol is developing biosynthetic routes for sustainable manufacturing of polymers from renewable feedstocks. Their candidate cytochrome P450 enzyme could convert volatile fatty acids into propylene, a key building block for polymer manufacturing. However, its 4.5% conversion rate was far too low for industrial feasibility.

What was done

Scala applied its enzyme activity design technology in a single round, generating 30 variants

with 3-4 active-site mutations each. The design process required no preliminary experimental data and the variates were evaluated at Repsol for conversion efficiency and selectivity toward propylene.

Results

• Conversion efficiency: 4.5% → 32% (7× improvement)

• Variants: 30 designed enzymes, 3–4 mutations each

• Selectivity: high specificity for propylene achieved

• Design cycle: all in one round

Impact

The improvement in conversion and selectivity transformed the enzyme from a promising candidate into one suitable for industrial application. By combining Repsol’s industrial biotransformation expertise with Scala’s activity design platform, this project demonstrates how enzyme engineering can accelerate sustainable chemical production.

Data highlights

• Conversion rates: The reference enzyme showed 4.5% conversion. Designed enzymes achieved up to 32% conversion in a single round.

• Selectivity: Designed enzymes maintained high specificity for propylene.

  
  

  

  
  
  
  

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References

Scala Biodesign & Repsol (2023)

See Technology page for how our design approach works.