CROs Advance Pharmaceutical Innovation with Thermo Fisher Scientific
In today’s fast-paced pharmaceutical landscape, Contract Research Organizations (CROs) like Pikralida are redefining what’s possible in drug development. Based in Poland, Pikralida is tackling complex challenges such as orphan diseases and polypharmacy through innovative drug formulation strategies—and they're doing it with the support of advanced technologies from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Whether they’re developing fixed-dose combinations to support stroke survivors or working on novel delivery systems for rare conditions, Pikralida exemplifies how forward-thinking CROs can make a major impact. In a recent video interview, Dr. Hanna Kierońska of Pikralida describes how their team accelerates innovation using cutting-edge equipment from Thermo Fisher.
“The versatility of this equipment is very valuable for R&D companies because we work with various types of dosage forms and drugs.”
— Dr. Hanna Kierońska, Pikralida
Among the technologies enabling Pikralida’s success is the Thermo Scientific™ Pharma 11 Twin-Screw Extruder. This versatile system supports multiple processes—from hot melt extrusion and continuous granulation to 3D printing filament production—using only small amounts of expensive or rare APIs. It’s designed for both R&D and small-batch production, allowing CROs to scale research without waste or high costs.
“We use the laboratory-scale extruder because we work with limited amounts of very expensive or rare drug substances.”
— Dr. Hanna Kierońska, Pikralida
Small-scale tools help CROs make big developments:
- Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME): This technique is essential for improving solubility in poorly water-soluble drugs, creating sustained release formulations, or enabling transdermal patches. Thermo Fisher’s extruders enable molecular-level dispersion and continuous processing, minimizing dust, solvent use, and waste.
- 3D Printing: Pikralida’s work with pharmaceutical 3D printing is shaping the future of personalized medicine through advances like producing custom formulations on demand.
- Continuous Wet Granulation: This continuous production method streamlines formulation manufacturing for dosage forms such as oral solid doses while preserving critical quality attributes; this is key for improving yield and reducing downtime.
With scalable designs, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s systems allow research teams to start with lab-scale prototypes and seamlessly scale up to full production. As just one example, the Thermo Scientific™ Pharma mini HME Micro Compounder requires as little as three grams of material, making it ideal for feasibility testing and pilot trials.
Learn from Leaders, Partner with Experts
Pikralida’s story shows how access to the right tools can accelerate breakthrough therapies. But you don’t need to be working on the same challenges to benefit. Whether you're focused on solubility, stability, novel delivery forms, or manufacturing efficiency, Thermo Fisher Scientific has resources for you:
- Scalable twin-screw extruders for research through production
- Application experts ready to help evaluate your formulation or scale-up challenges
- Continuous manufacturing systems that reduce variability and increase process control
Explore What’s Possible
Watch the full interview with Pikralida to see how CROs are innovating with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s support—and how your team might do the same.
Need to talk through your formulation challenges or explore continuous manufacturing options? Our team is ready to help. Contact Thermo Fisher Scientific today and let us support your next pharmaceutical breakthrough.