Complete biosynthesis of opioids in yeast

TLDR

Synthetic production could yield more effective drugs with fewer side effects. The study aims to produce opioids without poppy cultivation, with future optimization and scale‑up as the next challenge. Yeast was engineered to synthesize thebaine and hydrocodone from sugar. The amounts produced are far below commercial requirements. See Galanie et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

Toward opioids without poppy fields Producing opioids without having to depend on field-grown poppies would be of great benefit. Synthetic production could potentially produce more-effective drugs with fewer side effects. Now, Galanie et al. have engineered yeast to produce the opioid compounds thebaine and hydrocodone, starting from sugar (see the Perspective by Nielsen). The amounts produced so far are tiny compared with what would be needed commercially. Future optimization and scaleup are the next challenge. Science , this issue p. 1095 ; see also p. 1050