Avantium invests in dedicated potent facility
In response to the market demand for increasingly potent drugs and solid-form characterisation research, Avantium Life Sciences has invested in a dedicated facility, capable of screening Class IV compounds for salt formation and polymorphic behaviour.
In response to the market demand for increasingly potent drugs and solid-form characterisation research, Avantium Life Sciences has invested in a dedicated facility, capable of screening Class IV compounds for salt formation and polymorphic behaviour.
The new resource, located at Avantium's Amsterdam laboratories and HQ, will complement its solid-state chemistry capabilities, enabling the discovery and identification of polymorphs and crystal salt forms for cytotoxic compounds.
The primary components of the new facility comprise a state-of-the-art glove box to contain all solids-handling and enhanced sample holders to transfer the solids to the high throughput analytical techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Although all solids handling in Avantium's solid-state group takes place in gloveboxes, this new capability is equipped with additional filter systems and pressure control. Since most auxiliary equipment is integrated within the glovebox, all solids handling and crystallisation experiments can be executed under full containment conditions. The infrastructure supporting the new facility includes a regime of strict safety and decontamination procedures and a staff-training programme.
Erwin Blomsma, vice-president of Avantium Life Sciences, commented: 'We have invested in a world-class facility, now capable of screening cytotoxic compounds as well. Globally, there are very few contract research companies that can handle such levels of potency and we already have many projects from major pharmaceutical companies lined up to utilise the new unit.'