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The sensitivity and specificity
of Terahertz spectroscopy to both intermolecular and
intramolecular vibrations
in different chemical species enable investigation
of the crystalline state of drugs e.g. polymorphism.
The
use of terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI™) in proteomics
and drug discovery determines protein 3D structure,
folding and characterization. Additionally TPI™ is
very sensitive to DNA hybridization and other interactions.
TeraView’s
spectra family of products provides rapid identification
of the different crystalline forms
of drug molecules – the polymorphs – which
can display different solubilities, stabilities and
bioavailability and therefore are an important factor
in the therapeutic
efficacy of a drug. Detecting and identifying the
different polymorphs and understanding the mechanism
and dynamics
of polymorphic interconversion, is an important milestone
in selecting the optimum form for further development
and manufacture. Not only is it possible to detect
the differences between pure specimens of the polymorphs
but terahertz spectroscopy can distinguish between
specific
polymorphic forms in the tablet formulation.
Terahertz
spectroscopy can differentiate between different
hydrate forms. Lactose, one of the most commonly used
excipients in the pharmaceutical industry, forms at
least three different hydrates: the most widely used
a-monohydrate, the a-anhydrate and a b-anhydrate form.
These three hydrate forms exhibit terahertz spectra
that can be used for both quantitative and qualitative
analysis.
The terahertz region also provides
unique sensitivity to lattice structure enabling
qualitative and quantitative
analysis of crystalline and amorphous materials.
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