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This paper presents three case studies from University of British Columbia researchers that evaluate the reliability, robustness, and precision of EasyFrit™ and EasySampler™ in addressing specific challenges within crystallization studies. The studies showcase the collaborative effort in the co-development and application of this pioneering technology.
Manual sampling and filtration from supersaturated solutions come with several challenges, including spontaneous crystallization, clogging or probe fouling, timing inaccuracies, high variability, limited throughput, scalability issues, and safety concerns. These complications make it difficult to effectively monitor liquid phase concentration during crystallization experiments, turning the process into a daunting and time-consuming task. Additionally, since these reactions often take place overnight, collecting complete and comprehensive time-course data becomes even more challenging. This highlights the need for automated and reliable methodologies for studying supersaturation.
To address these issues, Prof. Jason Hein and Dr. Andrew Kukor from the University of British Columbia (UBC), along with Dr. Joel Hawkins from Pfizer, collaborated with METTLER TOLEDO to develop EasyFrit technology. This innovative solution serves as an automated and robust inline method for obtaining exclusive solution-phase samples from crystallization studies, building on the earlier EasySampler technology introduced by METTLER TOLEDO and its pharmaceutical partners. The EasySampler was designed to tackle the sampling challenges mentioned above, streamlining workflows for offline HPLC analysis with patented technology that allows for unattended, year-round operation. However, its application in crystallization studies was limited due to the inability to sample exclusively from the solution phase.
