Lonza announced today an expansion of its solid form selection services based at its Bend, OR (USA) site. The increased service capabilities and dedicated team complement previously established SimpliFiH Solutions first-in-human services consisting of phase-appropriate drug substance and drug product development and manufacture.

The solid form services offering also enhances Lonza’s capabilities in meeting accelerated timelines for increasingly complex molecules.

The selection of a lead solid involves the screening and characterization of both chemical forms (salts, cocrystals, solvates) and the associated polymorphs. Every molecule has a different propensity for polymorphism and to form hydrates and solvates.

The molecule's physicochemical properties and the target product profile dictate the need for screening salts, cocrystals, or bioavailability-enhanced formulations, and the key properties of any solid form: solubility, dissolution rate, manufacturability, stability, etc. Effective screening and selection are critical for early-stage and late-stage development to further process risk reduction and/or strengthen intellectual property claims.

Lonza’s solid form services are comprehensive, including form and salt/cocrystal screening, solid state characterization, chemical composition, solubility and dissolution, and powder properties.