Simulated moving-bed chromatography and its application to chirotechnology.

The increased awareness of the differences in biological activity of the two enantiomers of a chiral drug has raised the demand for enantiomerically pure products, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. Simulated moving-bed chromatography can be used for the separation of the two enantiomers of a chiral molecule, which is feasible at all production scales, from laboratory to pilot to production plant. The use of non-enantioselective synthesis of racemic mixtures and simulated moving-bed enantiomer separation might make the development process of a new chiral drug substantially shorter and cheaper.