(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) Catalent Pharma Solutions is pleased to announce that the Optiform™ compound optimization platform, a novel, solid-state and highly-automated analysis platform for salt, crystal-form, and co-crystal screening, developed and refined over the past ten years within GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will now be broadly available to early development scientists for the first time.  The technology has resulted in faster and more material-efficient development workflows, making it easier to bring new drugs to market faster. The Optiform™ compound optimization platform has been applied to more than 500 compounds, spanning from early stage lead compounds through launched products.  GSK has entered into an agreement with Catalent to utilize the Optiform™ platform to support its internal screening activities. The deal between Catalent and GSK was brokered by SR One, GSK’s corporate venture fund.

“My team and I are very excited that other companies now have access to these industry-proven technologies and workflows. I am confident that Catalent customers will value their effectiveness as much as GSK has.  The pairing of leading-edge technology with a scientific team that has been embedded in hundreds of project teams to successfully address solid-state problems spanning lead-identification to commercial launch is unparalleled,” said David Igo, Ph.D., Director, Optiform™.

The Optiform™ compound optimization platform and team will join Catalent’s Development and Clinical Services team of 300 based in Research Triangle Park, NC. This addition will expand the portfolio of pharmaceutical analytical services utilized by leading and emerging pharmaceutical companies. Catalent is a leading provider of formulation development and advanced technologies to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry with the broadest range of services and a global presence.

“We are pleased to add this world-class compound screening technology and the dedicated team of scientific experts led by Dr. Igo. It is an important new, early development offering for our customers. We believe that the Optiform™ technology provides yet another means for Catalent to help our customers reduce development time and build a more robust product,” said Kent Payne, Ph.D., Vice President and General Manager, Development Services at Catalent. 

To learn more about Catalent’s Development and Clinical Services, visit our website at www.catalent.com/development. To learn more about the Optiform™ compound screening technology or to arrange a consultation with Dr. Igo’s team, please contact the Optiform™ team at optiform@catalent.com. Please visit the Catalent booth at upcoming CPhI and AAPS events to meet an Optiform™ team expert.
Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, Catalent Pharma Solutions is a leading provider of advanced dose form and packaging technologies, and development, manufacturing and packaging services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer healthcare companies in nearly 100 countries. Catalent applies its local market expertise and technical creativity to advance treatments, change markets and enhance patient outcomes. Catalent employs approximately 9,000 people at 30 facilities worldwide and in fiscal 2009 generated more than $1.6 billion in annual revenue. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.