Array Automation software, for Raman spectrometers, enables companies to dramatically reduce their polymorph and crystal analysis workload in drug discovery laboratories.

Thermo Electron Corporation has enhanced its Array Automation software for Raman spectrometers, enabling pharmaceutical companies to dramatically reduce their polymorph and crystal analysis workload in their drug discovery laboratories. Chris Petty, Director for Vibrational Spectroscopy Products at Thermo Electron, explains: 'It has been a trend in the last few years for pharmaceutical companies to do exhaustive polymorph analysis and crystallization studies on candidate drug compounds much earlier in the drug discovery and development process'. 'The net result has been a marked increase in the workload for the analytical groups in R and D.' Raman spectroscopy is an ideal technique for the analysis of drug compounds.

Particularly sensitive to the subtle differences found between polymorphs and other crystal forms, Raman requires no disruption to the crystalline form of a material for its analysis.

Recent developments in Thermo's Raman instrumentation, such as automated well-plate, capillary tube array handling, and the MicroStage FT-Raman microscope, have enabled new high-throughput screening applications.

Combining Raman's ability to determine crystalline structures with automated sample handling capabilities, the Array Automation software enables high throughput screening applications on Thermo's NicoletT AlmegaT XR dispersive Raman and NXR FT-Raman spectrometer lines.

The Nicolet Almega XR dispersive Raman microscope permits analysis of small amounts of individual crystals, while the FT-Raman spectrometer, using Thermo's exclusive MicroStage FT-Raman microscope, eliminates fluorescence interference.

Thermo's Array Automation software automates the collection of spectra from either of these formats, and performs group or cluster analysis on the collected spectra.

'Prior to the Array Automation software, spectrum-to-spectrum comparison had to be done manually'.

'Now, work that used to take a chemist half a day can be completed in five minutes', said Petty.

The Array Automation software integrates Raman analysis into the customer site workflow by communicating with the customer's LIMS.

Thermo Electron provides validation for its Nicolet Almega XR dispersive and NXR FT-Raman spectrometers.