Executive Interview: Differentiated chromatography media

NGP. What major advances have you made in the field of column chromatography over the last few years?

JG. Grace Davison Discovery Sciences is one of the few HPLC column suppliers with primary manufacturing capabilities for the 1.5μm silica used in high-throughput chromatography applications. Through our acquisition of Alltech Associates in 2004, our expertise lies with bonded phase chemistries, column hardware, and packing methods to meet the stringent requirements of traditional as well as new ultra-high pressure instrument technologies.

Labs with conventional HPLC systems can use the Alltech Rocke and Expedite column hardware combined with 1.5μm silica to reduce run times by up to 70 percent compared to standard 150mm columns. We also have recently introduced VisionHT columns for ultra-high pressure systems. These columns use ultra-low volume hardware and 1.5μm silica optimized for speed. Extensive stability testing at 12,000psi shows constant efficiency and retention performance often unattainable by other brands of ultra-high pressure columns.

Additionally, we continue to update our flagship Vydac HPLC column product line, the leading tool for protein separations. These columns are specifically designed for bio-separations ranging from intact protein and antibody analysis to enzymatic digests and peptide analysis. The latest advancements use our 1.5μm high-throughput media for high-speed protein separations. Separations normally done in 25-30 minutes can now be completed in less than 2 minutes.

NGP. How do you ensure that your products respond to the ever-changing needs of drug development?

JG. The high-tech nature of the industry requires rapid innovation cycles and a constant stream of new products and techniques. As a global organization with sales, R&D, and manufacturing resources in all parts of the world, we are well positioned to provide high-quality products and support to global customers. We closely partner with key customers to develop new products on the leading edge of technology and the latest industry needs. Additionally, we actively participate in the exhibitions and technical programs of conferences around the world, and incorporate the ‘voice of the customer’ in new product design through close working relationships with key industry customers.

NGP. With the rising cost of bringing a new drug to market, how do your products facilitate speed-to-market?

JG. Our high-throughput HPLC column product portfolio, including VisionHT, Rocket and Expedite formats, provide R&D laboratories the opportunity to significantly reduce analysis time, saving both time and money.

Also, because we have been the world’s leading silica manufacturer for more than 100 years and have fundamental capabilities in bonding chemistries and column packing, we are able to offer scalable media to reduce method transfer and revalidation time as drug candidates move through their development pipelines, using the same media phases from discovery to recovery.

Additionally, the breadth of our total chromatography product offering opens possibilities for close procurement and method development partnerships with our customers.

NGP. Where do you see other challenges the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industry face today?

JG. The major challenge to the industry is the rising cost of bringing a new drug to market. A recent industry survey from The Economist estimates this cost to be anywhere from $800 million to $1.6 billion. Other challenges the industry faces include increasing regulation and government involvement putting downward pressure on drug prices; and the continued need to penetrate developing regions of the world such as China, India, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Brazil.

We can help pharmaceutical companies meet these challenges through our global reach and our unique product offering. We have products designed for speed and cost-efficiency, and have added new capabilities in China and India to support the local needs of these emerging regions.

NGP. Where do you see the future of analytical, preparative and process applications for the drug industry?

JG. Speed, selectivity, and sensitivity will continue to be the key drivers across the spectrum of analytical, preparative, and process applications for the pharmaceutical industry. We are focusing our new product development on HPLC media and columns that meet high-throughput demands, both at conventional pressures and ultra-high pressures.

Preparative and process applications will require improved selectivity, particularly for the purification of chiral compounds. Our new media products will focus on scaleable solutions to meet the needs of the industry.

We will continue to advance our core competency – differentiated chromatography media – since it is chromatography media that provides the separation/purification capability that the pharmaceutical industry requires. As the industry looks for ways to streamline and accelerate the drug development process our products will provide unsurpassed speed, sensitivity, and selectivity across the breadth of analytical, prep, and process applications.

Joanne Green is VP & General Manager of Grace Davison Discovery Sciences, a product group of W. R. Grace & Co. Ms. Green has spent 26 years with Grace in various positions, including her most recent position as General Manager of the Americas of the Engineered Materials business unit in addition to a career history in Sales & Marketing and other business management positions.