NOVELTY - Preparing gabapentin, comprises (a) reacting cyclohexanone and alkyl cyanoacetate in presence of a weak base salt in an organic solvent to obtain cyano-cyclohexyllidene-acetic acid alkyl ester compound (IV), (b) reacting (IV) with a cyanide source to obtain 1-cyanomethyl-cyclohexanecarbonitrile (V), (c) converting (V) to 1-cyano-cyclohexyl-acetic acid compound (VI) with a genetically modified nitrilase enzyme in water, (d) optionally reducing (VI) to gabalactam (VII) or gabapentin by catalytic hydrogenation in organic solvent, and (e) hydrolyzing (VII) to gabapentin.    USE - The gabapentin is useful for treating epilepsy and cerebral disorders. No biological data given.    ADVANTAGE - The process prepares (I) with greater yield and higher chemical purity in an eco-friendly manner, and reuses and recycles the byproduct formed during the reaction.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Preparing gabapentin, comprises (a) reacting cyclohexanone and alkyl cyanoacetate in presence of a weak base salt with or without an weak organic acid in an organic solvent to obtain cyano-cyclohexyllidene-acetic acid alkyl ester compound of formula (IV), (b) reacting (IV) with a cyanide source in the presence of solvent to obtain 1-cyanomethyl-cyclohexanecarbonitrile (V), (c) converting (V) to 1-cyano-cyclohexyl-acetic acid compound of formula (VI) or its salt with a genetically modified nitrilase enzyme in water at appropriate pH and temperature, (d) optionally reducing (VI) to gabalactam (VII) or gabapentin by catalytic hydrogenation at a suitable pH and elevated temperature in water or in organic solvent or its mixture and (e) hydrolyzing (VII) to gabapentin via acidic hydrolysis.    R = alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl; and    R1 = H, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or organic ammonium.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for the preparation of gabalactam (VII), comprising (a1) catalytic hydrogenation of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of (VI) under elevated temperature and hydrogen pressure at particular pH followed by isolation of the gabalactam or saturated with salts followed by extraction by batch process or continuous process with solvents.