Symyx Technologies Announces Collaboration With Merck to Develop Polymorph Discovery Tools System
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2001--Symyx Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMMX - news) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - news) to develop a Discovery Tools(TM) System for the rapid discovery, identification, and characterization of novel crystalline salt and polymorphic forms of drug candidates. The methods, instruments, and software included within the Polymorph Discovery Tools System are used to identify the optimal crystalline salt and polymorphic form of drug candidates to be formulated for use in clinical trials.
Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will provide funding for Symyx' Discovery Tools development effort and will purchase a Polymorph Discovery Tools system upon completion and validation. Symyx plans to commercialize the Polymorph Discovery Tools system within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology communities, and to apply it to internal research efforts.
Molecules often crystallize in more than one polymorphic form depending on the specific crystallization and purification conditions used in manufacturing. Each polymorph has a unique set of physiochemical properties such as melting point, solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Early selection of the crystalline polymorph with the best overall properties is critically important to pharmaceutical companies to avoid identifying a new, previously unidentified polymorph of a drug candidate later in the drug development process. |
