The Degradation Chemistry of Farglitazar and Elucidation of the Oxidative Degradation Mechanisms.

The chemical degradation of farglitazar (1) was investigated using a series of controlled stress testing experiments. Farglitazar drug substance was stressed under acidic, natural pH, basic, and oxidative conditions in solution. In the solid state, the drug substance was stressed with heat, high humidity, and light.

Simultaneous quantitation of trace level hydrazine and acetohydrazide in pharmaceuticals by benzaldehyde derivatization with sample 'matrix matching' followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Hydrazine and acetohydrazide are potential genotoxins and therefore need to be controlled in APIs and drug products to ppm levels for patient safety in cases where there is a reasonable probability of either of them being present. They are structurally related and could both be formed in the same chemical process under certain circumstances. However, no previous studies have reported simultaneous trace level quantification of these two compounds.

Elucidating the pathways of degradation of denagliptin.

Stress testing or forced degradation studies of denagliptin (1) tosylate in solution and solid-state, its blends with excipients, and capsules were conducted in order to elucidate degradation pathways, aid formulation development, and generate data to support regulatory filings. In solution, denagliptin was stressed in acid, water, and base using organic cosolvents. In the solid-state, denagliptin was stressed under heat, humidity, and light.

The utility of sulfonate salts in drug development.

The issue of controlling genotoxic impurities in novel active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a significant challenge. Much of the current regulatory concern, has been focused on the formation and control of genotoxic sulfonate esters. This is linked with the withdrawal of Viracept (Nefinavir mesilate) from European markets in mid-2007, over concerns about elevated levels of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS).

Development and validation of an automated static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS-GC-MS) method for monitoring the formation of ethyl methane sulfonate from ethanol and methane sulfonic acid.

An automated sample preparation and analysis procedure was developed to monitor the formation of ethyl methane sulfonate from reaction mixtures containing ethanol and methane sulfonic acid. The system is based on a liquid handling robot combined with a static headspace module. The formed ethyl methane sulfonate is analysed after derivatisation with pentafluorothiophenol using static headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS-GC-MS).