What is the minimum amount of API required for a polymorph screen?

For limited-material screens we can work with as little as 50 mg, but we recommend 1–5 g for a comprehensive screen that includes all standard crystallization methods, orthogonal characterization, and thermodynamic ranking. The exact requirement is scoped during consultation.

What analytical techniques are used to characterize each form?

All isolated solids are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Where needed, we add dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), Raman spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), and polarized light microscopy. Every form is confirmed by at least two orthogonal methods.

How do you determine which polymorph is the most stable?

Thermodynamic stability is assessed by competitive slurry conversion experiments where multiple forms are equilibrated together in a solvent. We also perform temperature-dependent solubility measurements and van't Hoff analysis to determine whether the system is monotropic or enantiotropic, and to identify the transition temperature if applicable.

Can you supply reference material of a selected polymorph?

Yes, where scoped in the project we can produce up to 1 kg of the preferred crystalline form using a scalable crystallization method. This non-GMP material can be used for pre-clinical studies, formulation development, or analytical method validation.

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Polymorph Screening and Characterization

Solid-State Chemistry

Identify all relevant crystalline forms of your API early to eliminate batch-to-batch inconsistency and ensure consistent in vivo performance.

Phase-appropriate screening design from discovery through commercial development
We apply a comprehensive crystallization condition matrix spanning solvents, temperature, supersaturation, and additives.
Orthogonal characterization by XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, Raman, and ssNMR
Thermodynamic stability is ranked via competitive slurry conversions and solubility–temperature analysis.
Form-control strategy documentation for regulatory and manufacturing confidence

Start Screening

Why map the solid-form landscape?

A late-appearing polymorph can disrupt bioavailability, manufacturing, and IP — comprehensive screening de-risks your development path.

Eliminate batch-to-batch inconsistency before scale-up
Identify hydrates, solvates, and metastable forms that affect dissolution
Select the most developable form with known stability boundaries
Strengthen IP position with documented form landscape

Comprehensive

Phase-Appropriate

Risk-Controlled

Our Approach

Integrated solid-form discovery and characterization

We apply a decision-gate framework that matches screening depth to your development stage, ensuring every screen answers the form-selection question with confidence.

Core Screening Pipeline

Systematic exploration of crystallization space to discover all relevant polymorphs, hydrates, and solvates of your API.

Initial API batch characterization (identity, purity, crystallinity)
Solvent and method selection includes evaporation, anti-solvent, cooling, slurry conversion, and thermal methods.
We conduct high-throughput and manual crystallization experiments to sample both kinetic and thermodynamic crystallization space.
Isolation and orthogonal characterization (XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy, Raman, ssNMR)

Form Ranking and Control Strategy

Rigorous thermodynamic and stability assessment to identify the preferred form and define how to keep it under process and storage conditions.

Thermodynamic stability is ranked through competitive slurry conversion and solubility–temperature analysis.
Stability testing under humidity, mechanical stress, and formulation-relevant conditions
Hygroscopicity and moisture sorption profiling (DVS)
We deliver final form selection with documented interconversion routes and monitoring recommendations.

Risk-Based Scope

Screens are designed around your development gate — preliminary, extensive, or limited-material — not a fixed experiment count. Condition diversity is prioritized over volume.

Material History Traceability

Every sample retains a full history (solvent, isolation method, drying, age, stress) to avoid misinterpreting kinetic artifacts as stable forms.

Orthogonal Confirmation

Each unique form is confirmed by at least two complementary techniques (e.g., XRPD + DSC + Raman) before being included in the form landscape report.

What You Receive

Actionable solid-form intelligence

Your team receives a complete package of data, ranked forms, and a control strategy recommendation tailored to your stage and questions.

Data Deliverables

XRPD diffractograms of all isolated forms with peak tables
DSC and TGA thermograms showing melting, desolvation, and decomposition
DVS isotherms and hygroscopicity classification
Polarized light microscopy images and particle morphology data
Raman and/or solid-state NMR spectra where needed for form confirmation

Reporting & Support

Comprehensive form landscape report with form ranking and stability assessment
Thermodynamic stability relationship diagram (monotropic or enantiotropic)
The control strategy document details the preferred form, known risks, process sensitivities, and monitoring methods.
Optional up to 1 kg of non-GMP reference material produced via scalable crystallization

Service Scope

Customizable by project

Parameters are selected and scoped in consultation to match your development stage, API amount, and specific questions.

Parameter	Typical Project Scope
API amount required	As low as 50 mg for limited-material screens; 1–5 g recommended for extensive screens
Number of crystallization conditions	Scoped per project; condition diversity prioritized over raw count
Analytical techniques	XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, Raman, IR, ssNMR, polarized light microscopy, Karl Fischer
Thermodynamic ranking	Competitive slurry conversion, temperature-dependent solubility, van't Hoff analysis
Polymorph classification	Enantiotropic vs. monotropic relationship, hydrate/solvate stoichiometry
Stability testing	Humidity, temperature, mechanical stress, vehicle/slurry exposure, and formulation stress
Reference material supply	Up to 1 kg of non-GMP material of the selected form, where scoped
Report format	A comprehensive PDF report includes full data, ranking, and control strategy; raw data files are also provided.

How It Works

Stepwise polymorph landscape mapping

From API receipt to final report, each stage is designed to capture both kinetic and thermodynamic form information.

API Characterization

Confirm identity, purity, crystallinity, and starting form of your API batch using XRPD, DSC, TGA, and microscopy. This baseline ensures that all subsequent experiments are compared against the known starting material.

Crystallization Design

Select a diverse set of solvents (including water mixtures), supersaturation levels, temperatures, and methods (evaporation, cooling, anti-solvent, slurry conversion, thermal stress) to probe both kinetic and thermodynamic crystallization space.

High-Throughput Experimentation

Execute the designed matrix of crystallization trials under controlled conditions. Each experiment is tracked with a unique material history, and solids are harvested by filtration or centrifugation for immediate characterization.

Solid-State Characterization

Characterize every unique isolated solid by XRPD, DSC, TGA, and optionally Raman, ssNMR, DVS, and microscopy. Forms are compared against the known starting form and cross-referenced to detect hydrates, solvates, and amorphous content.

Form Selection and Reporting

Rank all discovered forms by thermodynamic stability, hygroscopicity, and mechanical properties. Deliver a written report that identifies the preferred developable form, interconversion pathways, and a control strategy for monitoring form during manufacturing and storage.

Applications

Deploy polymorph intelligence at every development gate

Our screening supports critical decisions from lead optimization through commercial lifecycle management.

Crystallinity confirmation and early risk flags

Confirm that key lots are crystalline and identify whether variability in solubility or dissolution is due to form differences. Establish a baseline before candidate selection.

Crystallinity and form consistency across lots
Early hydrate/solvate detection
Risk flag for metastable or mixed forms

Lock in a developable form for tox and clinical supply

Perform targeted screening to identify the most stable and reproducible form, then stress it against humidity, vehicle, slurry, milling, and compression conditions to confirm robustness.

Form selection for tox and Phase I supply
Process sensitivity assessment (milling, granulation, compaction)
Release method development for form confirmation

Comprehensive landscape and lifecycle protection

Complete broader screening to ensure no new forms appear at scale. Qualify release and stability methods, control process transfer and packaging, and generate IP-supporting evidence.

Full polymorph, hydrate, and solvate landscape
Competitive slurry thermodynamic ranking
Control strategy linking form to process, specs, stability, and packaging

FAQs

Common questions about polymorph screening

Our scientists address the most frequent concerns to help you plan your solid-form program.

For limited-material screens we can work with as little as 50 mg, but we recommend 1–5 g for a comprehensive screen that includes all standard crystallization methods, orthogonal characterization, and thermodynamic ranking. The exact requirement is scoped during consultation.
We prioritize diversity of crystallization conditions over raw experiment count: multiple solvents, solvent mixtures, temperatures, supersaturation rates, and isolation methods (evaporation, cooling, anti-solvent, slurry conversion, thermal stress). This deliberate exploration of both kinetic and thermodynamic space minimizes the risk of missing a form that could appear later in development.
All isolated solids are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Where needed, we add dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), Raman spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), and polarized light microscopy. Every form is confirmed by at least two orthogonal methods.
Thermodynamic stability is assessed by competitive slurry conversion experiments where multiple forms are equilibrated together in a solvent. We also perform temperature-dependent solubility measurements and van't Hoff analysis to determine whether the system is monotropic or enantiotropic, and to identify the transition temperature if applicable.
Yes, where scoped in the project we can produce up to 1 kg of the preferred crystalline form using a scalable crystallization method. This non-GMP material can be used for pre-clinical studies, formulation development, or analytical method validation.

Please kindly note that our products and services are for research use only.