Research & Development

R&D — from discovery
to optimized process

From the discovery of your new co-crystal to the optimization of your process, PCL Research & Manufacturing has a unique experience in dealing with your solid form — saving your time and de-risking your API development with high-quality, data-driven information.

Discover PolymorphCo-crystalsSalts Solid Form SelectionAmorphousPreformulation Process Dev.Route Scouting
Phase 01 · Discover

Discover the right solid form

Screening services that identify, characterize and select the optimal crystal form for your molecule — unlocking patentable forms and better drug performance.

Discover

Polymorph Screening

Knowledge of solid-state properties at an early stage of drug development helps avoid manufacturing problems, fine-tune the performance of drugs and provides space for innovation. By definition, every new crystal form is novel — it is not possible to predict how many forms can be prepared, how to prepare them, or the properties of forms still unknown.

How can we help you?

  • Identify under what conditions the polymorphs are formed
  • Discover which forms are relevant for development
  • Determine the properties of each polymorph
  • Improve the therapeutic activity of drugs
  • Achieve better bioavailability of drugs
Identify & characterize
every relevant crystal form
API CO
Multicomponent crystals
for new patentable forms
Discover

Co-crystals Screening

Co-crystals are drug solids defined as multicomponent molecular crystals in which at least one of the compounds is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Salts are considered different from co-crystals, provided they are crystals formed by ionic multicomponent.

How can we help you?

  • Investigate co-crystal formation when the API is not sufficiently soluble or stable, or is difficult to formulate or manufacture
  • Discover new patentable solid forms
Discover

Salts Screening

Salt formation is one of the primary solid-state approaches used to modify the physical properties of APIs. A major limitation is that the API must possess a suitable (basic or acidic) ionisable site. In comparison, co-crystals offer a different pathway where any API — regardless of acidic, basic or ionisable groups — could potentially be co-crystallized.

How can we help you?

  • Investigate salt formation when the API is not sufficiently soluble or stable, or is difficult to formulate or manufacture
  • Discover new patentable solid forms
Modify API properties
through salt formation
Targeted selection of the
optimum solid form
Discover

Solid Form Selection

For the selection of the optimal API, several solid forms may be available from one molecule. We provide an effective comparative programme leading to better orientation and targeted selection of the optimum solid form with the requested properties.

What we deliver

  • In vitro bioequivalence studies — less variable, easier to control, predictive of in vivo bioequivalence
  • Study of the dissolution rate profile of various forms
  • Stability evaluation at different temperature and humidity conditions
  • Identification of the best physical form for pre-formulation
Discover

Amorphous Dispersion

The amorphous form does not possess a defined order in its arrangement. Although it is the most soluble form, it exhibits the lowest stability. Amorphous compounds are produced when precipitation is kinetically faster than crystallisation, and through crystalline disorder caused by processing (e.g. milling or micronisation). More than one distinct amorphous phase may form from the same substance — a behaviour termed "amorphous polymorphism".

How can we help you?

  • Amorphous materials can significantly increase bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs
  • Understanding amorphous crystallization is crucial for process development
Boost bioavailability of
poorly soluble drugs
Toward animal
& human trials
Discover

Preformulation Studies

With broad experience in studying and modifying the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of an API, our goal is to select the proper form and enhance its performance to push it forward into animal and human trials.

Phase 02 · Design & Develop

Design & develop a robust process

From synthetic route scouting to scale-up — flexible, robust and transferable processes with consistent, optimized bulk properties.

Design & Develop

Process Development & Optimization

We optimise synthesis and crystallization processes — from synthetic route scouting to process scale-up — allowing batches from grams to kilograms during development, while ensuring flexible and robust procedures that can easily be transferred to pilot-scale and finally to high-volume industrial production of API with consistent, optimised physical and bulk properties.

Our process optimization ensures flexible and robust procedures that transfer cleanly with optimised and consistent bulk properties.

Grams to kilograms —
scalable, robust, transferable
!
New synthetic routes &
impurity control
Design & Develop

Route Scouting & Process Impurities

Our team has a proven history with complex chemistry challenges and can support you in synthesizing challenging molecules by designing new, high-quality synthetic routes.

Route Scouting

  • Optimise and re-design your synthesis route with respect to synthesis time, environmental impact, yield and purification
  • Increase the efficiency of your processes

Process Impurities

  • Isolate, characterize and synthesise process-related impurities for use as standard materials
  • Establish a proper control system and develop suitable analytical methods

Ready to discuss your project?

Our team of expert chemists and analysts is ready to support your drug development — from early-phase screening to non-GMP development and manufacturing.

Contact Us