Raman Chemical Imaging for Semi-Solids, Gels and Emulsions
Oil Droplets in Emulsion
|
Optical Image |
| |
Raman Chemical Image Overlay |
It is very difficult to use traditional light microscopy to analyze a semi-solid drug product and infer physical and chemical information. Other methods of chemical analysis can be performed, but a question remains as to whether you have changed, destroyed, or consumed the sample.
Raman chemical imaging (RCI) is a noninvasive technique that can be used to overcome these challenges and characterize semi-solid drug products morphology, composition and spatial distribution. This method combines Raman spectroscopy with optical microscopy to generate hyperspectral images in which each pixel contains an individual spectrum. When complimented with optional NIR imaging, Chemical Imaging can be used to simultaneously detect droplets of different chemical compositions.
- Advantages in speed and image clarity over more conventional microspectroscopy
- Discrimination of polymorphs in situ and over time
- The ability to determine or confirm droplet size distribution of oils in emulsions
- Simultaneous detection of droplets of different chemical compositions
- Ingredient-specific analysis of drug product including stability within formulations
- Higher degree of confidence that the stated properties will be closer to an innovator drug that has the same crystalline form
For Generics
Ever wonder why when you go to clinical trials your drug product fails even though in vitro bioequivalence test studies indicates your product is chemically and quantitatively the same? What is the real difference? Use Raman chemical imaging to understand if your drug product has the wrong polymorph, component distribution is not uniform, drug particle size has changed the solubility, or the product is not stable over time.
For Innovators
Innovative formulators can also utilize Raman chemical imaging technology to develop unique, hard to duplicate formulations. The value of the chemical image comes from the importance of knowing where drug particles are in relation to other materials and how they are distributed. This provides a wholesale opportunity for drug development and product advances that translates to real competitive advantages.
