How much API do I need to supply for a full solid form screen?

Typical full screens (polymorph + salt + cocrystal) require 50–500 mg of API. Focused polymorph screens can be performed with as little as 10–20 mg. The exact amount depends on the breadth of conditions, and we will confirm with you during scoping.

How long does a solid form screening project take?

Project timelines are scoped during consultation based on the screening breadth, number of conditions, and depth of characterization. Our team works with your schedule to provide a realistic delivery timeline before the project begins.

Can you handle highly potent or controlled substances?

Yes, our laboratory is equipped and validated to safely handle highly potent and controlled compounds. We apply strict containment protocols to protect both personnel and the environment. Please discuss your specific compound classification during the initial inquiry.

Do you guarantee that a stable crystalline form will be found?

While our high‑throughput platforms maximize the probability of discovering crystalline forms, the solid‑state landscape is intrinsic to the molecule and cannot be guaranteed. Where crystallization is unsuccessful, we offer alternative strategies (amorphous assessment, co‑amorphous screening) to find a developable path forward.

What characterization techniques are included in the standard package?

The standard characterization package includes X‑ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman/IR spectroscopy. Additional techniques such as solid‑state NMR (ssNMR), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), and microscopy can be added as needed – we will recommend the appropriate panel based on your compound and project goals.

Can you help with scale‑up of the crystallization process after form selection?

Yes, our services extend into crystallization process development. Once the optimal form is identified, we can design and optimize a reproducible process to deliver that form at pilot scale with high yield and purity. This is scoped as a separate project phase.

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Solid Form Screening

Solid Form Design

Solid form screening systematically tests hundreds of crystallization conditions to discover all accessible forms of your API.

Integrated polymorph, salt, and cocrystal screening under one program
High- and medium-throughput crystallization platforms using minimal API
Comprehensive solid-state characterization (XRPD, DSC, TGA, Raman, ssNMR)
Stability, solubility, and manufacturability ranking for each identified form

Start Your Screening

De‑risk your development by choosing the right solid form early

A poorly selected solid form can derail bioavailability, stability, and manufacturing reproducibility — our systematic screening ensures you start with the best candidate.

Evaluate all accessible forms: polymorphs, salts, cocrystals, hydrates, solvates
Rank forms by solubility, dissolution rate, and physical stability
Deliver a clear recommendation for the phase-appropriate development form

Systematic

Data‑driven

Phase‑appropriate

Scientific Workflow

From molecule to the optimal developable form

We combine rational design of experiments with high‑throughput crystallization and orthogonal analytical techniques to map the full solid‑state landscape of your compound.

Core screening pipeline

Starting from your supplied API, we design and execute a fit‑for‑purpose screening plan covering polymorph, salt, and cocrystal conditions.

Physicochemical property assessment to guide solvent/counterion selection
High‑throughput crystallization in micro‑scale plates (hundreds of conditions)
Automated sample generation and harvesting with intelligent condition variation

Integrated characterization & ranking

Every isolated solid form is analyzed by multiple orthogonal techniques to build a complete property profile and rank forms by development suitability.

XRPD phase identification and crystallinity assessment
Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA) for melting point, purity, and solvate/hydrate detection
Spectroscopic fingerprinting (Raman, IR, ssNMR) for form confirmation

Quality ensured

All screening experiments are conducted under controlled conditions, with data reviewed by experienced solid‑state scientists to ensure reproducibility and traceability.

Statistical rigor

DoE-based experimental design maximizes condition coverage while minimizing material consumption, enabling confident identification of the full polymorph landscape.

Biological relevance

Final form ranking incorporates bioavailability‑relevant metrics (solubility in biorelevant media, dissolution rate, physical stability) to support downstream formulation decisions.

Deliverables

What you receive

A complete data package that equips your team to select the most developable form and move into crystallization process development with confidence.

Data deliverables

Full screening report listing all identified forms with experimental conditions
XRPD diffractograms, DSC/TGA thermograms, Raman/IR spectra for each form
Stability assessment summary (stress conditions, slurry conversion, hygroscopicity)

Reporting & support

Ranked form recommendation table with justification for stability, solubility, and manufacturability
Project consultation to discuss results and plan next steps
Raw data files and instrument metadata for internal review

Service Scope

Tailored to your compound and stage

The scope of each solid form screening project is defined after consultation. Typical parameters considered include:

Parameter	Typical Project Scope
Compound amount required	50 – 500 mg (full screen); smaller amounts acceptable for focused studies
Screening breadth	Selectable: polymorph only, salt+polymorph, cocrystal+polymorph, or full integrated screen
Counterions & coformers	Curated library of pharmaceutically acceptable counterions and coformers; selection based on pKa and H-bonding complementarity
Crystallization methods	Slow evaporation, cooling, anti‑solvent addition, slurry conversion, vapor diffusion – selected per condition design
Characterization package	XRPD, DSC, TGA, Raman, IR; optional ssNMR, DVS, and microscopy
Stability assessment	Slurry conversion, accelerated stability (40°C/ performance scoped per projectRH), photostability as scoped
Form ranking criteria	Stability, solubility (aqueous & biorelevant), dissolution profile, hygroscopicity, crystallinity
Data format	PDF report plus raw instrument files; XRD patterns also in CIF/SCD format upon request

How It Works

Five‑step journey to your optimal solid form

Our systematic workflow ensures comprehensive coverage of the solid‑state landscape while preserving material and time efficiency.

Physicochemical Profiling

We analyze your API's pKa, logP, melting point, and solubility in a panel of solvents to inform rational design of crystallization conditions and counterion/coformer selection.

Design of Experiments

Based on the profiling data, our solid‑state scientists construct a DoE matrix covering solvent composition, antisolvent, temperature, cooling profile, and additives to maximize form discovery.

High‑Throughput Crystallization

Crystallization experiments are executed in parallel using micro‑scale platforms (96‑well or 384‑well format) that require only milligrams of API per condition, enabling hundreds of unique trials.

Comprehensive Characterization

Every isolated solid is analyzed by XRPD, DSC, TGA, Raman, and IR spectroscopy. Promising forms are further examined by ssNMR, DVS, or microscopy as needed to fully elucidate their properties.

Form Selection & Reporting

All data are compiled into a ranked summary with clear justification for the recommended form. A consultation is conducted to review results and plan the next development phase.

Applications

Serving critical decisions across the development continuum

Solid form screening supports multiple stages from early candidate selection through to crystallization process development and regulatory filing.

Identify all polymorphs and select the most stable, developable form

Regulators require characterization of all polymorphs of a drug substance. Our screening methodology uncovers the full polymorph landscape, including metastable forms, to guide form selection and IP strategy.

Condition matrices optimized for polymorph discovery
Stability ranking using slurry conversion and stress testing
Support for patent protection and regulatory submission

Enhance solubility and dissolution via optimal salt formation

For ionizable compounds, salt formation can dramatically improve aqueous solubility and bioavailability. We screen a pre‑vetted library of pharmaceutically acceptable counterions to identify the optimal salt form.

pKa‑based counterion selection with bioavailability prediction
Rapid identification of crystalline salts without amorphous intermediates
Solubility and stability comparison across salt candidates

Modulate solid‑state properties through co‑crystallization

For non‑ionizable or poorly soluble compounds, co‑crystallization with safe coformers offers an alternative route to improved solubility and dissolution without chemical modification of the API.

Coformer selection based on H‑bonding complementarity and GRAS status
High‑throughput cocrystal screening with rapid hit verification
Property enhancement assessment (solubility, hygroscopicity, compressibility)

Evaluate amorphous option when crystalline form is intractable

When a compound resists crystallization or exhibits extremely low solubility in all crystalline forms, an amorphous or co‑amorphous system may be the only viable path. We assess feasibility and stability.

Amorphous content generation and physical stability screening
Assessment of recrystallization tendency and Tg
Co‑amorphous screening with suitable small‑molecule partners

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about solid form screening

We've compiled answers to the most common inquiries – for project‑specific details, please contact our team.

Typical full screens (polymorph + salt + cocrystal) require 50–500 mg of API. Focused polymorph screens can be performed with as little as 10–20 mg. The exact amount depends on the breadth of conditions, and we will confirm with you during scoping.
Project timelines are scoped during consultation based on the screening breadth, number of conditions, and depth of characterization. Our team works with your schedule to provide a realistic delivery timeline before the project begins.
Yes, our laboratory is equipped and validated to safely handle highly potent and controlled compounds. We apply strict containment protocols to protect both personnel and the environment. Please discuss your specific compound classification during the initial inquiry.
While our high‑throughput platforms maximize the probability of discovering crystalline forms, the solid‑state landscape is intrinsic to the molecule and cannot be guaranteed. Where crystallization is unsuccessful, we offer alternative strategies (amorphous assessment, co‑amorphous screening) to find a developable path forward.
The standard characterization package includes X‑ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman/IR spectroscopy. Additional techniques such as solid‑state NMR (ssNMR), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), and microscopy can be added as needed – we will recommend the appropriate panel based on your compound and project goals.
Yes, our services extend into crystallization process development. Once the optimal form is identified, we can design and optimize a reproducible process to deliver that form at pilot scale with high yield and purity. This is scoped as a separate project phase.

Scientific Literature

References

Gui Y. Solid Form Screenings in Pharmaceutical Development: a Perspective on Current Practices. Pharmaceutical research. 2023;40(10):2347-2354. View on PubMed
Meng J, Zhou CH, Yin L, et al. Dispensing Small Scale Solids Using Chemical-Coated Beads for Solid Form Screening. Molecular pharmaceutics. 2025;22(12):7513-7521. View on PubMed
Ghanavati MA, Khalili B, Alberico D, et al. Machine learning-driven discovery of multicomponent pharmaceutical solid forms via DualNet: confidence-aware prediction and ranking of salts and cocrystals. International journal of pharmaceutics. 2025;684:126117. View on PubMed

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