Dual-Wavelength X-Ray Diffractometer Increases Throughput for Challenging Single Crystal Analyses

New dual-wavelength X-ray diffractometer technology can determine the crystal structures from the most challenging crystal samples.

SAFC Pharma, a business segment of SAFC, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich Group (St. Louis, MO, USA), announced that its Pharmorphix Solid State Research Laboratories in Cambridge, UK, have installed a new single crystal X-ray diffraction system called the Oxford Diffraction SuperNova, and is the first industrial installation of this state-of-the-art instrumentation anywhere in the world.

Equipped with a powerful high flux dual-wavelength microsource X-ray generator, the SuperNova instrument is capable of performing single crystal X-ray analyses on small microcrystalline fragments with dimensions of down to 30 μm - 50 μm. The dual- wavelength capability will allow the rigorous determination of absolute stereochemistry of chemical entities that contain first row elements only.

Solid-form characterization and research is an essential part of the drug development process. A basic understanding of the physical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) allows for the selection of the optimal solid-form to ensure patient benefit such as efficacy and safety, and protect intellectual property.

Prof. Chris Frampton, chief scientific officer for SAFC Pharma's Pharmorphix solid-state research technology, commented, "The installation of the Oxford Diffraction SuperNova instrument underlines our commitment to providing the highest quality data and service to our clients in the area of single crystal X-ray diffraction. The technique of single crystal X-ray diffraction is used extensively throughout all our projects and provides a fundamental understanding of solid-state processes.”

The Pharmorphix solid-state research technology is well recognized for its solid form research studies and is used by pharmaceutical customers around the globe to enhance their development programs. Often used in the early to mid stages of drug development, Pharmorphix's solid-state services complement SAFC Pharma's expertise in the manufacture and supply of APIs and intermediates, providing customers with collaborative support through every stage of the clinical development process and enabling greater speed to market.

SAFC is the custom manufacturing and services group within Sigma-Aldrich that focuses on high-purity inorganics for high technology applications, cell culture products, and services for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biochemical production, and the manufacturing of complex, multistep organic synthesis of APIs and key intermediates.

SAFC Pharma is a complete pipeline partner for the development and cGMP custom manufacturing of complex small-molecule APIs and biologic drug products. SAFC Pharma's biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific research, including genomic and proteomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and as key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and other high technology manufacturing.

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