Lonza Pharma & Biotech has launched SimpliFiH Services, integrating its capabilities in addressing bioavailability challenges with drug substance, solid-state characterization and drug product for first-in-human studies.
 
Lonza’s new service package has been specifically designed for innovator companies that have solubility-challenged molecules and require drug substance and drug product services for early-stage development and first-in-human studies. Streamlined service agreement templates specific to the SimpliFiH package have also been developed to further reduce time, cost and complexity for these studies.
 
The foundation of SimpliFiH Services is the company’s proprietary bioavailability enhancement technology selection methodology. This methodology encompasses databases and models based on more than 25 years’ experience advancing thousands of molecules to phase I across all key enabling technologies—particle size reduction, solid dispersions and lipid-based formulations. By using this methodology, a single enabling approach for early first-in-human studies can be rapidly identified without extensive solubility screening which thereby reduces early phase clinical timelines and API requirements. 
 
SimpliFiH Services encompasses the key drug substance and drug product components required for first-in-human studies for small molecules: drug substance development and supply, solid-state characterization/bioavailability enhancement, and phase-appropriate drug product in powder-in-capsule, powder-in-bottle, liquid-filled hard capsule or tablet format.
 
Basic analytical services inclusive of stability studies are included in the SimpliFiH Services package.  Regulatory services for supporting, consulting on or writing IND and IMPD are available to support first-in-human requirements.
 
“Chemistry is core to Lonza, and we continue to innovate and invest in flexible small molecule services and site network infrastructure that benefit our customers,” said Gordon Bates, president, chemical division, Lonza Pharma & Biotech. “We are pleased to launch SimpliFiH Solutions, which integrates our core capabilities and expertise in bioavailability enhancement and drug substance development, and accelerates the first-in-human pathway for candidate molecules.”
 
Dr. Christian Dowdeswell, vice president and head of dosage forms and delivery systems, Lonza Pharma & Biotech, said, “The majority of preclinical candidate molecules require bioavailability enhancement, many even for early phase studies. We have designed SimpliFiH Services to meet the needs of customers for flexible, truly integrated packages that address the bioavailability challenge in a time- and cost-efficient manner.”

Lonza is exhibiting at CPhI North America at stand 602.