How does biocatalysis affect the supply cost of (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol?

How does biocatalysis affect the supply cost of (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol?
Recent Chinese academic work highlights the mining of carbonyl reductases from Kurthia gibsonii SC0312 for the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol. This biocatalytic route offers a greener alternative to traditional chemical reduction or resolution methods, which often involve heavy metal catalysts or wasteful chiral auxiliaries. For the market, adoption of such enzymes could lower production costs and improve enantioselectivity, making the product more accessible for pharmaceutical intermediates. However, industrial scale-up remains limited; most supply still comes from batch-wise chemical processes. As enzyme immobilization and cofactor recycling technologies mature, expect a gradual shift toward continuous biocatalytic production, potentially stabilizing prices and reducing lead times for buyers.