Enhancing Productivity in the Analytical Laboratory Through the Use of Ultra Fast-HPLC in Preformulation/Formulation Development.

The pharmaceutical industry today is driven to create new, more efficient ways to discover, develop, deliver and monitor drugs. Pharmaceutical companies are being faced with major challenges in reducing drug discovery and development timelines. Automation and the introduction of new analytical technologies that increase speed of analysis are integral in the analytical laboratory. The development of rapid chromatographic methods in preformulation and formulation development is playing an increasing role to support this drive in efficiency and productivity. The introduction of ultra fast-HPLC systems that can operate at pressures of up to 15,000 psi with columns packed with sub-2-µm particles have allowed for high speed and efficient separations. The consequent reduction of time, solvent, and waste disposal, and the analysis of more samples per unit time makes ultra-fast HPLC a very attractive technology. Faster method development and decision making can be achieved during late-phase preformulation/formulation development for the analysis of both singly charged and multiply charged basic compound analysis. The use of ultra fast-HPLC (UHPLC) for pH scouting experiments and the determination of the analyte's ionogenic nature was shown to be an effective tool for rapid and systematic method development. The implementation of this technology was also evaluated for the analysis of drug product formulations and excipient compatibility studies. Increased speed of analysis and significant gains in resolution per unit time were obtained compared to separations performed using conventional HPLC systems (operating pressures of <5,500 psi). Also, the use of liophilic ions as mobile phase additives with operation under high pressures led to enhanced separation selectivity, retention, and peak symmetry of multiply charged basic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]