Malvern and Kaiser partner on Raman microscope development

27-Oct-2009 - Last updated on 27-Oct-2009 at 12:20 GMT

Malvern Instruments and Kaiser Optical Systems have teamed up to meld Raman spectroscopy with particle characterisation in a unique combination that has application across the drug development and manufacturing process.

Under the collaboration, UK based Malvern will integrate Kaiser’ RamanRxn system of analysers and probes into its automated particle analysis Morphologi platform and ISys chemical imaging software.

Kaiser, a specialist in the provision of holographic optics and spectroscopy platforms, will distribute an exclusive version of the ISys software and a purpose built control platform with its Raman WorkStation range.

Ulf Willen, divisional product manager for analytical imaging technology at Malvern, said that the integration of Raman spectroscopy will meet demand for more detailed particle analysis, while sidestepping some of the drawbacks of the technique.

Willen told in-PharmaTechnologist that, while undoubtedly a powerful technique, “The problem with Raman spectroscopy is that it takes a long to find the particle you wish to examine,” explaining that the search can take up to 90 per cent of the analysis time.

He explained that the idea with the new combined technology is to guide the process with an automated Morphologi pre-scan that identifies particles of interest for subsequent Raman analysis.

Willen went on to say that the technology has applications both in early development, to measure rates of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) agglomeration, and in commercial production to ensure the correct particle distribution is achieved.

In a press release, Paul Walker, Malvern’s MD said: “[The collaboration with Kaiser] will significantly enhance Malvern’s capabilities to solve the material characterization problems of its customers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.”

Harry Owen, Kaiser’s business development director agreed, suggesting that: “The addition of Malvern’s software to our Raman WorkStation offers our customers significantly improved performance.

“Raman spectroscopy applications such as chemical mapping, wellplate analysis, and tablet analysis will benefit from the combination of our PhAT technology and the powerful imaging capability offered by Malvern’s ISys data processing and analysis software.”