Singapore: Crystal Pharmatech, a technology-driven solid-state research contract research organization (CRO) based China, has partnered with Particle Sciences, a leading contract drug development companies focused on the formulation and support of advanced drug delivery solutions.

The partnership, one of many that Crystal Pharmatech is forging with research driven organizations, combines a level of expertise previously not available to CRO's that will increase the success rate for the development of insoluble pharmaceutical compounds. Both will now offer clients an optimal solution for developing low solubility pharmaceutical compounds.

Over the past five years, approximately 65 percent of pharmaceutical compounds under development have been sparingly soluble to practically insoluble in water. This has led to the need for more innovative formulation and solubilization techniques. As scientific complexity of drug development increases, finding the appropriate CRO to bring about the optimal development path for both drug substance (API) and drug product (formulation) is of utmost importance.

"Whether the best way to develop your product is a co-crystal or nano-suspension depends on the material properties of your drug and the delicate interplay between API and formulation development," explains Mr Alex Chen, CEO, Crystal Pharmatech.

Mr Robert Lee, VP, pharmaceutical development, Particle Sciences, adds, "On several occasions, a client will work with a CRO to find a path forward for API development, only to realize that the chosen path is unacceptable for formulation development and, as a result, the project goes over the allocated time and budget."