Synthetic Chemistry

Chemistry to drive your drug discovery project forward

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How can synthetic chemistry deliver the molecules and data you need to keep your discovery program moving?

Whether you're struggling to make a challenging molecule, need more compounds to progress SAR, require milligram quantities for screening or larger amounts for biological, DMPK, and toxicology studies, we give you access to the expertise and capacity to get the chemistry done. We build a tailored work package around your molecules, objectives, quantities, and timelines, so you can focus on generating data, making decisions, and advancing your program.

Speak to an Expert

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As your program advances, your chemistry requirements change. You need a partner who can take you from developing a viable synthetic route to producing the quantities needed for the next stage, without losing valuable knowledge along the way. We provide continuity from discovery chemistry and route development through to kilogram-scale manufacture, helping you progress your molecule without the disruption of moving between multiple providers.

Our synthetic chemistry expertise supports you as a stand-alone service or as part of an integrated drug discovery program.

Your challenge is our challenge

Synthetic chemistry can become a bottleneck at almost any stage of drug discovery. If you are just starting out on your synthetic chemistry journey or are an experienced chemist, we help you achieve your goals.

Your chemistry challenges are unique. You need a partner who can adapt to your science, not fit you into a standard service.

Whether you need compounds synthesized, help solving a scientific challenge, expert consultancy, a comprehensive data package, or coordination of external resources, we tailor our support to what your project needs.

We start by understanding your objectives, bottlenecks and priorities, then bring together the right scientific expertise, technologies and analytical capabilities to develop a workflow around you. This means you get more than the material you need: you get the added expertise, insight and flexibility to make informed decisions and keep your program moving.

Below are just some of the solutions we offer to common challenges:

Customer challenge	Our potential solution
I need to couple an aryl amine to an aryl halide, but conventional reaction conditions have not worked.	Use our pre-made screening kits and parallel screening workflow to identify novel reaction conditions.
I have a scaffold that I need to rapidly elaborate through several exit vectors to explore structure–activity relationships (SAR).	Use our parallel chemistry platform, with automated data analysis and purification, to produce up to 48 novel analogues per week.
I need to synthesize a manufacturing impurity for analytical benchmarking.	Scale up the reaction that generates the impurity and purify it using our in-house purification technologies, including automated normal-phase chromatography and preparative SFC.
I need to scale up the synthesis of a key intermediate, but the chemistry is extremely hazardous.	Initiate a route-scouting exercise to identify alternatives to hazardous chemistry. Use our in-house expertise and chemical database to investigate alternative routes and scale up the most suitable option.

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Our role is straightforward: we make the chemical you need quickly, so your scientists can use the data to develop a new hypothesis, identify the next opportunity, make informed decisions, and push your discovery project forward.

Connecting chemistry with drug discovery

Because synthetic chemistry is part of our integrated drug discovery platform, you can access additional expertise and services as your program evolves, bringing the right capabilities together to meet your changing needs.

One project | One connected team | One chemistry partner

How synthetic chemistry accelerates drug discovery

You need a synthetic chemistry partner built around your project.
We match your project with the right project manager and scientific expertise.
Tailor how your project is managed and delivered to your specific requirements.

From workflow and communication to delivery, we keep things flexible and focused on adding value at every stage as your project evolves.

You get direct, scientist-to-scientist communication with a single team throughout your project that takes the time to understand your chemistry, objectives, and priorities, building the trust needed for a strong working relationship.

Synthetic chemistry services

Synthetic chemistry solutions

Parallel synthesis and purification for lean SAR scouting
Photochemistry and electrochemistry to unlock challenging synthetic routes
Flow chemistry and hazard evaluation to increase process safety
Design of Experiment (DoE) for immediate enhancement of yield and purity
Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
High-pressure chemistry to facilitate hydrogenation and carbonylation
Multi-reactor crystallizer to streamline development of isolation protocols

Analytical chemistry and purification

NMR
UPLC/MS
GC/MS
Mass-directed purification
Analytical and semi-preparative chiral Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC)

Find out more about our analytical chemistry services

We prioritize data quality, integrity, and security throughout your project. All our experiments are integrated into our Dotmatics ELN platform, enabling the seamless transfer of information between scientific disciplines within a project.

Chemistry for complex molecules and emerging modalities

Our synthetic chemistry expertise supports both established and emerging modalities, including:

Small molecules - Access the chemical matter required for hit identification, hit-to-lead and lead optimization programs.

Peptides - Support peptide synthesis and the generation of peptide-based chemical matter using solid-phase peptide synthesis.

PROTACs and targeted degraders - Synthesize complex molecules and related derivatives to support targeted protein degradation programs.

Nucleosides, nucleotides and ProTides – Longstanding expertise with RNA-like derivatives.

Glycosides, lipids and macrocycles - Access specialist synthetic expertise for challenging and structurally diverse chemical matter.

High-potency compounds – Supporting projects requiring specialist synthetic approaches and appropriate safety considerations. We have the capability and risk assessments in place.

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Speak to an Expert

Why choose Concept Life Sciences for synthetic chemistry?

How can you get the molecules you need when the chemistry gets difficult?

When a synthesis challenge threatens to slow your discovery program, you need experienced chemists who can find a way forward. Our team brings the scientific expertise to tackle challenging chemistry, with more than 80% PhD-educated chemists and an average of 10 years of industry experience

How can you increase chemistry capacity without recruiting or investing in your own facilities?

Get access to established laboratories, specialist equipment and analytical expertise without the expense, time and commitment of building an in-house chemistry function. You can add the capacity you need when you need it, while keeping your internal team focused on other priorities.

Can you adapt your chemistry support as my discovery priorities change?

Your chemistry requirements can change as new data emerges. Our single FTE rate gives you the flexibility to follow the science, redirect effort and adapt your project as priorities evolve, without being tied to a rigid scope of work.

What happens if your project encounters an unexpected chemistry challenge?

You need a partner who can respond to the problem, not force your project into a standard workflow. We take time to understand your objectives and develop a tailored chemistry approach around your specific challenges, adapting as your requirements change.

How will you communicate project progress and key decisions?

You work directly with responsive scientists who understand your chemistry and your objectives. We prioritize clear communication and close collaboration, giving you the insight you need to understand progress, address challenges and make informed decisions. We aim to work as an extension of your own team.

Can you help me access specialist expertise for complex molecules and new modalities?

When your molecules demand specialist knowledge or non-standard synthetic approaches, you can access contemporary and specialist synthetic technologies without having to develop that expertise internally. This gives your team greater flexibility to tackle complex chemistry challenges.

Can you supply enough material as my program progresses?

As your discovery program advances, your material requirements increase. We support synthesis from milligram to kilogram scale, helping you access the quantities needed for screening, further studies and progression towards development.

Can I continue with the same chemistry partner from discovery through to manufacture?

Yes. You can maintain continuity as your molecule progresses, from discovery chemistry through process development and into non-GMP and GMP manufacture. This helps retain valuable chemistry knowledge and reduces the need to transfer your project between separate providers.

Can I access other drug discovery expertise alongside synthetic chemistry?

You can bring together the expertise needed to progress your discovery program under one organization. Our integrated capabilities span synthetic and medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry (CADD), biology, ADMET/DMPK, process development and GMP manufacture, helping connect scientific insight and decisions across your program.

How do you protect my intellectual property when outsourcing chemistry?

Your intellectual property is central to your discovery program. We recognize the importance of protecting your confidential chemistry and project information throughout an outsourcing relationship. We work with you to establish appropriate arrangements before work begins.

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Our track record gives you confidence that your chemistry is in experienced hands. Over the past 10 years, our scientists have contributed to more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and patents, demonstrating the innovation and scientific expertise we bring to solving challenging synthetic chemistry problems.

Synthetic Chemistry FAQs

Q: Why is synthetic chemistry used in drug discovery?

A: Synthetic chemistry is used to make molecules needed to discover, optimize and develop new medicines. Developing initial hits, generating analogues for SAR studies, preparing key intermediates, and producing larger quantities of compound for toxicology studies all require synthetic chemistry.

Q: What scale of synthesis can Concept Life Sciences support?

A: Our synthetic chemistry capabilities range from milligram-scale discovery synthesis through to kilogram-scale non-GMP and GMP manufacture. The appropriate scale depends on the stage of your program and how much material is required for downstream studies.

Q: Can you help when a synthetic route isn't working?

A: Yes. Our scientists can troubleshoot specific reactions or investigate alternative synthetic approaches, drawing on technologies such as photochemistry and electrochemistry as needed.

Q: Can Concept Life Sciences synthesize compounds for SAR studies?

A: Yes. We support SAR exploration by preparing key building blocks on scale and then efficiently derivatizing functional handles to deliver libraries of compounds. Our approach spans traditional small-molecule discovery and newer modalities such as PROTACs.

Q: Do you only provide synthetic chemistry as a stand-alone service?

A: No. Synthetic chemistry can be delivered as a stand-alone service or integrated with our wider drug discovery capabilities. Our chemistry teams can work alongside CADD, medicinal chemistry, biology, ADMET & DMPK, process research & development, and GMP manufacturing.

Q: Why outsource synthetic chemistry rather than build the capability in-house?

A: Building a synthetic chemistry function requires significant investment in laboratory infrastructure, analytical equipment, software, utilities, maintenance, and specialist scientific expertise. Outsourcing gives you access to established capabilities and experienced chemists without having to build and maintain the entire infrastructure yourself.

Q: How do I know which synthetic chemistry approach is right for my project?

A: You don't need to have the answer before contacting us. Our scientists will work with you to understand your challenge and design a tailored work package to help you reach your next milestone.

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