Argonaut Forms Consortium To Develop Chemical Process Screening Instrument
Argonaut Technologies Inc. (San Carlos, CA) has formed a consortium of five pharmaceutical and agrochemical companies to help it develop a parallel synthesizer for chemical process development. The system would allow users to automatically test a range of variables, such as time or temperature, to optimize parameters for chemical process performance. The company expects to commercialize its first system within 12 months.
Joining in the one-year collaboration are Eli Lilly & Co. (Indianapolis), Agouron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (La Jolla, CA), Rohm & Haas Co. (Philadelphia), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group (New York), and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Collegeville, PA). Each participant will receive one or more of the advanced process screening tools within the year.
The new tool builds on Argonaut's Quest parallel organic synthesizer, which was made for combinatorial synthesis. The Quest permits researchers to produce 10 or 20 compounds in parallel using the same general synthetic parameters. The system provides solution and solid phase handling, an inert environment, automatic reagent delivery, variable agitation, and accurate temperature control. It is small enough to fit into a laboratory fume hood. The units start at $25,000 and cost up to $45,000 when furnished with all the options.
Consortium members will receive a a Quest 205 synthesizer capable of running 10 parallel reactions in 100 ml Teflon fluoropolymer reaction vessels. The Quest 205 has more than half the advanced tool's capability, says Argonaut president and CEO David P. Binkley. The Quest gives consortium members an immediate opportunity to explore the use of parallel processing.
How will the new parallel process synthesizer differ from the Quest? According to Argonaut director of administration Elizabeth Mitchell, the new device is designed to make the same compound in a number of different ways, allowing users to vary just one parameter in each of the concurrent reactions.
"From an engineering viewpoint, need an inert environment and the ability to heat, cool, agitate, and add reagents in a controlled manner" she says. "This sounds easy, but it's not. The process has to be automatic and provide the same degree of accuracy found in a pilot plant, such as reactor temperatures within plus or minus one degree."
In addition to precise temperature control, the unit will have automated reagent delivery, periodic sampling, and online sample analysis, Mitchell continues. "We'll be able to build kinetic curves for each reactor."
The consortium approach ensures Argonaut develops models with features its customers are willing to pay for. "Once they buy into the concept and join the consortium, we go through a dialog about features and price," explains Mitchell. "It's easy to create a very expensive system that does everything. We're more interested in creating a system with the maximum utility for the price they can afford."
The company used the same consortium approach to develop its Trident automated library synthesizer and Nautilus automated organic synthesizer.At least one consortium member is pleased. "We conducted an exhaustive search for an automated multiwell reactor system capable of screening chemistry and found that the commercially available instrumentation fell far short of our needs," says Rhone-Poulenc Rorer section manager of process chemistry Michael O'Brien.
"We chose to join Argonaut's consortium rather than trying to adapt existing instrumentation," he continues. "Argonaut has a proven track record in the production of synthesizers. We found their design concept to be unique, their technology to be advanced, and yet the new screening unit will be quite easy to use. The proprietary valve system eliminates the need for cumbersome robotics, and offers flexibility and reduced processing time. We feel that this instrument will be a quantum leap better than anything else on the market."
Founded in 1994, privately-held Argonaut produces synthesizers, software, and chemical resins and reagents from offices in the United States, Switzerland, and Japan.
For more information: Elizabeth Mitchell, Director of Administration, Argonaut Technologies Inc., 887 Industrial Rd., Suite G, San Carlos CA 94070. Tel: 888-598-1350 or 650-598-1350. Fax: 650-598-1359.
By Alan S. Brown