Microwave flow chemistry to "radically improve" drug development
18 Jan 2012
Cambridge, UK – Uniqsis and WaveCraft have agreed to jointly develop a new range of microwave-based flow chemistry systems. The UK/Swedish collaboration will radically improve efficiency when scaling up compound synthesis during drug development, the companies claim.
The partners aim to integrate their respective liquid handling technologies: Cambridge-based Uniqsis’ microwave applicator technology and reactors from WaveCraft of Uppsala, Sweden.
WaveCraft’s technology uses a novel applicator and a proprietary microwave generator based on mobile phone technology to apply microwave energy and accelerate chemical reactions.
Combining flow chemistry with microwave heating could enable researchers to continuously change power and frequency to optimise synthesis reactions.
Scale-up could then be carried out without the need to re-optimise conditions, according to Uniqsis. The technology, it added, will also be “completely safe” and use significantly less energy than conventional approaches.
“The WaveCraft team is pre-eminent in the field of microwave technology and we believe that their new technology shows exceptional promise,” said Paul Pergande, MD of Uniqsis.
Uniqsis is well-established in the field of flow synthesis, said Jon-Sverre Schanche, CEO of WaveCraft, who added: “Working together will give both companies a great opportunity to offer customers solutions that significantly increase productivity”
Uniqsis Ltd, based near Cambridge, UK, was formed in 2007 by Asynt Ltd and Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd to develop new continuous flow chemistry products for customers in both the research and bio-pharmaceutical sectors.
A consortium of expert engineers, supporting companies and scientists from the pharmaceutical industry has been assembled to provide in-depth scientific and technical expertise to the development of this exciting new technology.
WaveCraft has developed microwave-assisted technology to provide faster, safer and more environmentally friendly development and production of organic compounds. Its current focus is on the pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract research and manufacturing organisations.
