Where Chemistry Meets Strategy

At ChemTank, we turn complex chemical challenges into competitive advantage.

About ChemTank

ChemTank provides scientific and strategic insight for the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
We combine deep technical expertise with commercial understanding to help organisations innovate, optimise, and deliver.

Our team offers:

Strategic chemistry consulting
Embedded laboratory and project support
Scientific due diligence for investors

Our Mission

To transform complex chemical challenges into competitive advantage, empowering our clients with the insight and innovation to drive progress.

Our Approach

We operate at the intersection of science and strategy—partnering with clients to deliver innovative, commercially focused solutions.
ChemTank brings together world-class expertise, collaborative thinking, and rigorous execution.

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Leadership Team

Founder & Director

Dr Christopher J. O'Brien

Chris is a pioneering chemist and inventor known for translating breakthrough science into real-world impact. He invented the catalytic Wittig reaction (PhosCat™) and co-developed the widely used PEPPSI™ catalyst family. After earning his degree at UMIST and completing a PhD under Prof. V. K. Aggarwal, Chris built a career spanning academia, biotech, CROs, and CDMOs. At ChemTank, he combines deep expertise in catalysis, route design, and process development with strategic insight—helping clients solve complex chemical challenges, streamline innovation, and deliver precision-driven solutions that are both creative and commercially viable.

Director

Prof Dr Horst Kutsch

Horst works at the intersection of science, technology, and business. With a background spanning statistical modelling, entrepreneurship research, and market analytics, he brings a rare ability to translate complex data into growth strategies. He has successfully secured and led multi-million-euro innovation programmes funded by the German government, supported high-tech organisations in strengthening their commercial capabilities, and developed award-winning startup ecosystems as an academic leader. At ChemTank, Horst ensures that analytical excellence and strategic rigour power our clients’ innovation, competitiveness, and long-term success.

“Chris is a highly skilled process chemist with strong expertise in scale-up and manufacturing considerations. Chris applies technical rigour alongside a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach, ensuring that proposed routes are both innovative and feasible for implementation. Under Chris’s guidance, ChemTank is positioned to deliver commercially viable outcomes that align with client objectives and project requirements for all of CMC.”

Vice President of a UK based CDMO

Consultation

Strategic chemical insight and tailored solutions, from focused guidance to end-to-end project support. Our services include expert-witness work and scientific due diligence for investors, providing clarity, precision, and measurable impact.

Training

Bespoke training programmes for CROs, CDMOs, and pharmaceutical teams. We build practical capability, empowering scientists to perform at the highest level.

Areas of Expertise

Target compound route design
Synthetic route optimisation and evaluation
Transition metal catalysis – design, synthesis, and application
Process development (CMC)
CRO/CDMO management
Embedded project support
Statistical analysis and data interpretation
Computational chemistry support
Literature intelligence and technical training
Laboratory design
Scientific due diligence for investors
Expert witness support