7-aminocephalosporanicacid (7-ACA) is convenient starting material for the industrial production of various kinds of semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotics. In many cases, chemical modifications at the C-7 position is required. Industrially, 7-ACA is derived by chemical or enzymatic deacylation from cephalosporin C, which is fermentatively produced by Acremonium chrysogenum. 7-ACA is a stable only at neutral pHs, enzymatic manipulations are desirable for chemical modifications in the production of cephalosporin related compounds.

Cefazolin is a semisynthetic cephalosporin analog with broad-spectrum antibiotic action due to inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, cefazolin inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins. Cefazolin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, moderately severe bacterial infections involving the lung, bone, joint, stomach, blood, and urinary tract. It is clinically effective against infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci species of Gram positive bacteria. This drug also can be used for perioperative prophylaxis.