Webinar top takeaways: Using XRF to maximize the efficiency of drug purification processes
We were recently honored to host an insightful webinar presented by Dr. Sean Liew of pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences, who shared his experience of using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology in his drug substance purification workflow. Here are my top takeaways from the session:
1. XRF: Fast & non-destructive analysis
The go-to methods for performing elemental analysis in pharmaceutical settings, such as Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectroscopic techniques often require extensive sample preparation, including digestion and dissolution, which can take hours or even days to yield results. In contrast, XRF provides results in under an hour, with minimal sample preparation. This makes XRF an ideal solution for fast, real-time feedback during drug development.
Additionally, unlike ICP, which destroys samples during analysis, XRF is non-destructive, meaning that the sample can be recovered and used for further analysis, reducing waste and providing more flexibility in research.
2. Case Studies: XRF in action
The webinar featured several case studies that demonstrated the real-life applications of XRF technology in pharmaceutical research:
- Catalyst purge optimization: Dr. Liew shared how XRF was used to optimize the removal of toxic catalyst residues like nickel and zinc during the synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). By screening different work-up conditions, XRF helped identify the most effective method for purging these impurities, ensuring the purity of the final product.
- Sulfur impurity detection: In another case, XRF was employed to assess sulfur impurities in a stock solution, demonstrating the importance of elemental analysis for detecting contaminants that are otherwise undetectable by traditional techniques like LC (liquid chromatography). Even at low concentrations (<5%), XRF provided crucial data for process improvement.
- Contamination troubleshooting: When unexpected contamination led to an undesired hydrolysis reaction, XRF helped pinpoint the source—potassium bicarbonate contamination in the filtration process. By identifying this issue early, Dr. Liew’s team was able to adjust the purification steps and improve the overall yield.
3. XRF vs. ICP: Comparison
While ICP is often considered the gold standard for quantitative elemental analysis, it comes with several limitations—particularly its lengthy sample preparation process and the destruction of samples. On the other hand, XRF offers a faster and more flexible alternative, particularly useful for screening and pre-analysis. Key advantages of XRF include:
- Cost-effective: With less sample preparation and faster results, XRF can streamline workflows, reducing time and operational costs.
- Fast feedback loop: XRF results can be obtained in minutes, compared to the hours or even days required for ICP.
- Non-destructive: XRF does not require sample destruction, enabling samples to be reused for further analysis or different testing methods
4. Minimal training burden
One of the standout features of XRF, according to Dr Liew’s experience, is its user-friendly operation. The software and instruments are straightforward, allowing pharmaceutical scientists to start using the instrument and obtaining data with minimal training. The process involves placing the sample in the instrument, pressing a button, and receiving results. It’s that simple!
5. XRF: A Flexible Tool for Pharmaceutical Scientists
The versatility of XRF makes it an invaluable tool across various stages of drug development workflow:
- Early-stage drug development: XRF can assess the elemental composition of APIs and excipients, ensuring that the ingredients meet the required purity standards.
- Drug product and process development: During scale-up manufacturing, XRF can be used to track catalyst residues and identify contaminants that may affect the final drug product.
- Drug product manufacturing: XRF can also be used to assess the final API or formulation, providing insights into elemental impurities and helping with quality control before the product reaches consumers.
Conclusion: Add XRF to your toolkit for faster drug development
XRF spectroscopy plays an important role in elemental analysis workflows at Gilead Sciences, offering speed, precision, and non-destructive analysis of elemental impurities. Used for optimizing purification steps, troubleshooting contamination, and ensuring the purity of the final drug product, XRF helps pharmaceutical scientists enhance process efficiency and product quality.
For more details on how XRF can streamline your drug development processes, watch the full webinar. In addition to my top takeaways, you’ll find further insights in the recording, such as Dr Liew’s list of practical considerations for implementing XRF in drug development workflows as well as introduction to XRF technology by Dr Lieven Kempenaers, Product Manager for benchtop and compact XRF at Malvern Panalytical.
If you’d like to dive deeper and learn how XRF can improve your processes, – request a personalized demonstration today!