WuXi adopts H-Cube for drug discovery

06-Jan-2009 - Last updated on 06-Jan-2009 at 12:22 GMT

WuXi AppTec is to use ThalesNano’s H-Cube for laboratory-based hydrogenation, which the CRO believes offers advantages in drug discovery over traditional batch processes.

By using the H-Cube WuXi joins illustrious company, with ThalesNano claiming that the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies all use the technology.

The H-Cube is a bench-top standalone device that uses continuous-flow microchemistry with hydrogen needed for the reaction generated in-situ and on demand.

Since the necessary hydrogen is produced in the H-Cube no external storage is required which reduces the space the system takes up.

Reactions take place on disposable catalyst cartridges, which are modeled after high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems.

ThalesNano claims that in comparison with traditional techniques the H-Cube is safer, faster, more cost-efficient and gives increased yields.

Shuhui Chen, chief scientific officer of WuXi AppTec, said: "We are very pleased for the employment of H-Cube, as Hydrogenation in flow for drug discovery is significantly a more productive and safer approach than traditional batch-based technique. We are looking forward to working with ThalesNano as we move to larger scale in the future."

The larger scale model that Chen refers to is the H-Cube Midi that increases the capacity up to a maximum of 500g a day using the same technology as its smaller sibling. Consequently WuXi should be able to scale-up its production runs and maintain the same results.