Activated Research Company, LLC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: 400

Description

Abstract The analysis of moleculesanalytesby liquid chromatographyLCis performed in all areas of healthcare from drug discovery and development to disease diagnosisHerewe propose a near universal LC detector utilizing a flame ionization detectorFIDthat responds with high sensitivity to all organic compoundsThis technology has the potential to speed up pharmaceutical development and allow for more accurate quantification of the components in pharmaceuticalsUltimatelythis will improve all aspects of healthcare that rely on LCThis research and potential commercialization is supported by our concurrent development and product launch success with corporate partners in the gas chromatographyGCmarketThe purpose of LC is to determine how much of each molecule is in a sampleBecause of the complexity associated with the number of molecules that exist in a sampleLC can be the most time consuming analytical technique in pharmaceutical developmentNeverthelessit is still the best technique for molecular quantification of pharmaceuticalsLC relies on two equally important primary stepsseparation followed by detectionSeparation technologies have evolved over recent years to increase chromatographic resolution and speed up analysisSimilarlydetectors such as mass spectrometersMShave become more sensitive and selectiveallowing users to quickly identify components in a complex matrixThe UV detector is used by andgtof LC users for quantification because it is low cost and reliableHowevereven with modern improvementsthe UV detector cannot overcome its fundamental limitationwhich is its non uniform response to organic moleculesresulting in missed detection and sometimes poor quantificationOur proposed product is a higher performingyet low costalternative to the UV detectorThe specific aims of this proposal include the proof of concept testing necessary for utilization of an FID with an LCWith overyears of practice in GCthe FID has proven to be a sensitive and reliable detector with a linear range over seven orders of magnitudeImplementation of the FID in LChoweverrequires the removal of the mobile phasewhich would otherwise drown out the signal of analytesPrevious attempts of solvent removal have been unsuccessful due to the challenges of continuous solvent removal and the requisite transfer of nonvolatile analytes to the detectorAdvances in catalytic microreactor technologypioneered by Activated Research Companynow provide the technology necessary for the implementation of FID in LCSuccessful completion of the Phase I aims will lead to a Phase II commercialization strategy to bring this product to healthcare marketsThis proposal has obtained the enthusiastic support of leading LC and pharmaceutical companies offering a high probability of commercialization after meeting the project milestones Project Narrative The development of a universal detector for liquid chromatography will lead to fastermore efficientdevelopment of pharmaceuticals and could result in enhanced healthless illnessesand longer lives