Onyx Scientific, the contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) division of Ipca Laboratories, has announced plans to expand its solid form and material science screening capabilities in 2026, following the celebration of its 25th anniversary at the end of 2025.

The investment aligns with the company’s strategy to deliver flexible, phase-appropriate development solutions for complex small molecules, with particular emphasis on compounds classified under Developability Classification System (DCS) class II and IV. The expanded offering is aimed at meeting increasing demand for integrated crystallisation development, particle engineering and preformulation support across early development through to commercial manufacturing.

Central to the expansion is the addition of the Technobis Crystalline PV/RR Line, a high-precision system that combines temperature and turbidity measurements with in-line particle imaging. The platform provides real-time visualisation at resolutions down to 0.63 microns per pixel, offering deeper insight into nucleation events, crystallisation behaviour and slurry phase transitions.

Commenting on the development, Chris Atherton, Commercial Director at Onyx Scientific, said the investment is focused on improving both speed and decision quality. He noted that enhanced real-time particle insight will allow the company to support clients more confidently during early-stage material selection and optimisation.

The new crystallisation platform complements Onyx Scientific’s existing infrastructure, including Crystal16 parallel screening systems, the Radleys Mya Station and Blaze probe technology. Together, these capabilities are expected to strengthen preformulation screening, refine design space in later development stages, and support the preparation of small- and large-scale demonstration batches for internal studies and external collaborations.

Beyond crystallisation, Onyx Scientific has further expanded its solid-state toolkit with the addition of three platforms spanning spray drying, lyophilisation and jet milling. These include the Buchi S300 mini spray dryer with inert loop and ultrasonic nozzle for amorphous solid dispersion and agglomeration studies; the Buchi Lyovapor L-250 Pro with manifold and shelf configurations for lyophilisation from aqueous and organic systems; and the MC DecJet 30 jet mill, which enables scalable micronisation from milligram quantities to hundreds of grams for applications such as inhalation and bioavailability enhancement.

Julian Northen, Technical Director at Onyx Scientific, said the new tools enhance the company’s ability to deliver high-quality, small-scale engineering batches tailored for performance testing. He highlighted that such batches are often critical for pharmacokinetic, toxicology and first-in-human programmes, whether conducted internally or in collaboration with partner CROs and CMOs.

With the expanded particle imaging and measurement capabilities, Onyx Scientific can now prepare amorphous materials in multiple formats, optimise particle size, evaluate dissolution behaviour and monitor amorphous content across a range of solid presentations. These capabilities enable formulation teams to refine candidates more rapidly while maintaining greater control over solid-state performance attributes.

Looking ahead, the company is preparing for further upgrades in early 2026, including planned investment in its X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) suite with non-ambient measurement capabilities. The expansion also supports internal skills development, productivity gains and Onyx Scientific’s long-term strategy to strengthen its solid-state and material science expertise.

Onyx Scientific operates MHRA-licensed facilities in the UK and provides small molecule drug substance development and manufacturing services from early API development through clinical supply and commercial production. Its dedicated solid-state and analytical chemistry teams support both fully outsourced development programmes and targeted projects designed to complement in-house R&D efforts.