The Lab Notes

On the first day of our recent OPRD conference in Charleston, we took our audience on a trip down memory lane…what was going on 25 years ago? Well, in the UK, Madonna was Top of the Pops with American Pie.  Madonna said of her choice to cover the song: "To me, it's a real millennium…

One of principles we strongly advocate during our process development and safety training courses is to establish the effect of impurities on a chemical reaction, particularly previously unknown impurities that might be introduced into an existing process stream via new batches of raw materials, reagents, or solvents. A change of supplier might mean a different…

Unlock the Secrets of Scientific and Technical Writing: A New Online Course with Dr Jonathan Moseley Effective scientific and technical writing is more than just putting words on paper. Whether you're crafting reports for industry, writing academic theses, or preparing journal articles, the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively is essential. If you're…

Whilst researching material for my recent webinar on the synthesis of drugs approved by the FDA in 2024,1 I came across an interesting reaction used in the production of the broad-spectrum, 5th generation, cephalosporin-based anti-bacterial agent ceftobiprole medocaril (Figure 1).2 This iv administered prodrug was approved in April 2024 for the treatment of hospital-acquired/community pneumonia…

Why Delegates Should Attend the Organic Process Research and Development (OPRD) Conference in Charleston, SC, USA - March 10-12, 2025 The Organic Process Research and Development (OPRD) Conference, happening in Charleston, South Carolina from March 10-12, 2025, is a must-attend event for professionals in the field of organic chemistry, process development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Here’s…

New Years Resolutions: What Are Your Professional Aims for 2025? Is CPD Training on the Agenda?   As we step into 2025, many of us will take time to reflect on our professional achievements and set ambitious goals for the coming year. Whether you’re a seasoned chemist or just embarking on your career, one thing…

Peptide drugs have very recently been in the limelight because of the success of the Novo Nordisk blockbuster GLP-1 agonist Semaglutide (Ozempic, Figure 1).1 GLP-1 agonists primarily stimulate glucose- dependent insulin release from pancreatic islets, underpinning its use in the treatment of diabetes. An add-on, equally important, function is the slowing of gastric emptying- reducing…

Bec's Bitesized Blog - Are you in the iPRD Industrial club? Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Institute of Process Research and Development (iPRD) Industrial Club's autumn meeting in Leeds, a city that holds a special place in my heart, having spent several happy years there during my PhD studies. For those…

Green Magic: How 2024’s Peter J. Dunn Award Winners Transformed Sustainable Pharma with Breakthrough Chemistry Written by Dr Bec Newton, 24 October 2024 I happened to notice a post on LinkedIn about an ACS Webinar last week entitled ‘Sustainable Manufacturing – Green Chemistry Breakthroughs in Pharma’. I’m glad I did as the two talks were…

Discover the 10th Annual Winter  Process Chemistry Conference: December 9-11 in Birmingham   Join us in vibrant Birmingham from December 9-11 for the highly anticipated 10th Winter Conference, where cutting-edge scientific advancements meet unparalleled networking opportunities. This event offers a rare chance to connect with leading chemists, engage in dynamic Q&A sessions, and dive into…