SGS Life Science Services, the leading pharmaceutical clinical and bioanalytical contract solutions provider, today announced that it has invested in X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) capabilities at its Lincolnshire, IL, laboratory for solid state analysis. The service, which has been fully qualified and validated, can now be offered to clients wishing to study crystallinity and polymorphism under cGMP conditions.

With this technique, the laboratory adds a comprehensive polymorph analysis, screening and determination service, complementing existing capabilities in Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). XRPD can also be used to identify crystalline materials, pursuant to USP testing, as well as quantitative phase analysis and assessment of the degree of crystallinity of solids. The non-destructive nature of XRPD makes it suitable for systematic pre-formulation studies and for testing drug-excipient compatibility.

Installed and fully operational, the XRPD instrument is equipped with a very sensitive LYNXEYE detector which allows methods to be developed and optimized quickly without compromising data quality. Analysis under cGMP conditions is possible as the diffractogram is 21 CFR compliant.

"This investment is in response to growing client demand for extended solid-state characterization testing," commented Mark Rogers, Senior VP, Life Science Services, SGS North America. "Adding X-Ray Powder Diffraction to our global portfolio of services broadens the company's expertize and widens our offering for both existing and potential new clients. The fact that we can offer this new service with full cGMP compliance is a key differentiator."

With 19 laboratories offering contract analytical and bioanalytical services, SGS leverages its wholly-owned global network, present in North America, Europe, and Asia, to deliver harmonized solutions to large pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. In addition to testing services for the bio/pharmaceutical market, SGS also provides Phase I to IV clinical trial management and services encompassing data management and statistics, PK/PD modeling and simulation, pharmacovigilance and regulatory consultancy.

For further information, please contact:

Ferdinand Dabu
Global Marketing Director
Life Science Services
SGS, 75 Passaic Avenue,
Fairfield, NJ 07004, USA
t: +1 973 287 1219
www.sgs.com/lifescience

Richard Kerns
President
NEPR
t: +44 (0)161 728 5880

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.

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