Scientists of NSU are studying pharmaceutical substances to create new solid dosage forms

A cooperation agreement for conducting joint research on pharmaceutical substances necessary for the creation of solid dosage forms based on them has been concluded between Novosibirsk State University and the company “Innovative Pharmacological Developments” (LLC “Ifar”, Tomsk). Work is being carried out in the new Laboratory for the Study of Solid Dosage Forms. Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (IMMT) of NSU, opened on the basis of the modern campus of NSU, being built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”, as well as the Department of Solid State Chemistry Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) of NSU with the support of the “Priority-2030” project.

— Screening studies aimed at examining the crystallization conditions and stability regions of obtained crystalline forms of pharmaceutical compounds are an integral part of the process of developing new drugs. Such work allows for the determination of the existence of polymorphic modifications (i.e., crystal structures of different organization, composed of molecules of the same type) in the studied chemical compound, as well as the possibility of forming hydrates and solvates with solvent molecules. The obtained information is fundamentally important and, furthermore, is significant from a practical standpoint for understanding possible processes and transformations occurring with the pharmaceutical substance during the technological production cycle of a drug based on it., — commented the head of the laboratory for the study of solid pharmaceutical forms and materials for medicine at IMMT NSU, senior lecturer of the Department of Solid State Chemistry at FEN NSU, Ph.D. in Chemistry. Evgeny Losev.

One of the areas of training for students of the Department of Solid State Chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU traditionally involves research on crystallization processes and studying the properties of molecular crystals of pharmaceutical compounds.

— In the special course “Crystal Growth” of the Department of Solid State Chemistry at FEN NSU, we analyze with students the role of the phenomenon of polymorphism in crystallization and the formation of solid forms of pharmaceutical compounds. Realizing the practical value of the acquired knowledge and understanding that it can be applied to solving production challenges of Russian enterprises, such as LLC “Ifar”, will significantly increase students’ interest in studying the subject., — commented the senior lecturer of the Department of Solid State Chemistry of FEN NSU, PhD in Chemistry. Sergey Arkhipov.

The existing experience in the field of diffraction methods for studying crystalline substances opens up opportunities for collaboration between the university and pharmaceutical companies to solve emerging applied problems.

— The company “Ifar,” in partnership with leading scientific centers and pharmaceutical companies in the country, is implementing a number of projects for the development of new medicinal drugs. These are comprehensive projects that include the development of full-cycle technology (substance synthesis and production of dosage forms), conducting preclinical and clinical studies, registration, and market launch. Polymorphism determines important properties of the substance and the finished drug form, such as stability, solubility, bioavailability, and consequently, therapeutic effectiveness; therefore, cooperation with Novosibirsk State University on the study of polymorphism and crystal structure opens additional opportunities for our company in drug development., — noted the project manager of LLC “Ifar”, PhD. Sergey Stankevich.

The ongoing work is supported by the “Priority-2030” program and is aimed not only at creating new scientific connections between the university’s laboratories and pharmaceutical companies but also serves as an important stage in training specialists to work within the SKIF CCP in the future.

— This work is carried out within the framework of the “Priority-2030” program implemented at the university. Our project and collaboration with the company “Ifar” are aimed not only at developing approaches to obtaining solid forms of substances exhibiting biological activity but also at advancing methods of X-ray and synchrotron research of solid pharmaceutical forms. This is especially relevant given that in the near future we will have the opportunity to submit applications for such research to the recently opened Siberian Circular Photon Source (CKP “SKIF”). Collaboration with enterprises in the real sector, such as “Ifar,” provides a direct link between fundamental science and practical industry challenges. As a result of this interaction, we better understand applied tasks and make the most effective use of fundamental scientific results to solve them., — commented the project leader, head of the Department of Solid State Chemistry at FEN NSU, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Associate Professor Boris Zakharov.

The obtained results will be published in a joint scientific paper. Collaboration with the company “Ifar” is planned to continue in the future on other promising directions related to the development of new pharmaceutical drugs.