In response to market
demand for increasingly potent drugs and solid-form characterization
research, Avantium Life Sciences has invested in a dedicated
facility, capable of screening Class IV compounds for
salt formation and polymorphic behavior.
The new resource, located at Avantium's Amsterdam laboratories
and HQ, will complement Avantium's 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 glove
box, all solids handling and crystallization 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 rigorous staff-training program.
Erwin Blomsma, Vice President of Avantium Life Sciences,
comments: '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 utilize the new unit.'
Avantium Technologies is an innovation-based company
providing rational high throughput product and process
R&D solutions to the chemicals and life science
industries. Its unique integrated hardware and software
platform provides intrinsically scaleable solid-state
characterization and chemical development thus allowing
rapid and reliable scale-up to pilot plant and production.
Avantium collaborates with, among others, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline,
Akzo Nobel Chemicals, Shell, Eastman Chemicals and W.R.
Grace. The company has its head offices and laboratory
in Amsterdam (Avantium Technologies B.V.) and employs
a satellite laboratory within Delft University to collaborate
with the Dutch Universities in a cutting-edge discovery
program.
|
