Nikolai`s Blog Site

A polymorph is a form of a crystalline material where the molecules pack in a particular way. A different polymorph sees the molecules packing together differently. Most small molecules exist as multiple polymorphs and polymorph screening is essential in order to observe as many as possible and to understand which one is best to develop. Whatever the application a polymorph screening process will be needed. Each polymorph will have slightly different properties.  This could include solubility, hardness and in the case of a drug, bioavailability. The best polymorph needs to be chosen and the subsequent chemistry should be geared to making only this polymorph.  Polymorph screening therefore is an essential component of any small molecule development programme.