Facility for cytotoxic compound research

In response to 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 Avantium's solid-state capabilities, enabling the discovery and identification of polymorphs and crystal salt forms for cytotoxic compounds. The new facility has a state-of-the-art glovebox to contain all solids-handling and enhanced sample holders to transfer the solids to the high throughput analytical techniques such as x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Although all solids handling in the 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 can be executed under full containment conditions. Erwin Blosmsma, 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."

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