In addition to its formulation and drug delivery activity, Physica Pharma also performs assays to support the formulation activity either upstream or downstream.

Drug Physicochemical Profiling

In order to reach their final destination in the body, compounds need to be soluble and to pass through biological barriers which are cell membranes made of lipid layers. Physica Pharma evaluates the compound's aqueous solubilisation behaviour as well as lipophilic partition ability. This information can help to improve compounds selection. Moreover, it helps to determine if the compound can be formulated.

Solubility testing
Adequate aqueous solubility is critical to the success of a potential drug candidate. Poor aqueous solubility may limit the route of administration of a new compound and hamper analysis in other assays. We determine aqueous solubility using filtration method.

Permeability testing
A compound's lipophilicity governs how fast it crosses cell membranes and the extent that it will partition out of plasma and intestinal fluid. It is a critical determinant of intestinal permeability. We determine lipophilicity using the PAMPA method (Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeation Assay) designed to predict the permeability of compounds absorbed by passive diffusion of intestinal epithelium.

Drug Absorption Evaluation

Physica Pharma provides in vitro assays for intestinal absorption (on Caco-2 cells) or nasal absorption (on nasal cell culture) to help investigate the absorption profiles of compounds or formulations.

Formulation Evaluation

Preclinical PK

In collaboration with a partner CRO, we manage studies that determine the pharmacokinetics and absorption of a compound after IV, oral, intranasal, subcutaneous administration.

Bioanalytical Services

We provide quantitative measurements on a range of active drugs (small molecules to peptides) in the plasma as well as statistical analysis of data.