On the topic of unfortunate mingling with research, for an AIDS drug, ritonavir, it can come in multiple crystalline forms. But this was unknown. For years ma

On the topic of unfortunate mingling with research, for an AIDS drug, ritonavir, it can come in multiple crystalline forms. But this was unknown. For years manufacturers only knew about and produced “Form 1” without issue for years until “Form 2” showed up out of nowhere. Maybe from a lab studying it, who knows. But once it’s out, as it’s more stable, it’s preferred! It “infected” a key manufacturing plant with it, and the batches kept showing up in that form. And cleaning it away is virtually impossible. > And Form Two went everywhere. Within days of identifying Form Two, the company’s analytical lab could only make that form of the drug. The bulk drug coming off the production line in Chicago turned out to be contaminated before it ever went in to the capsules. Staff from Chicago were sent to an uncontaminated production line in Italy to find out if they were doing anything differently. Within weeks, that line was producing Form Two as well. As it’s more stable, it means it doesn’t dissolve as well, but is also favoured. That’s bad news if you want a pill that dissolves in your stomach (or in this case, in the liquid capsules), or need an injectable solution. https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/ritonavir/4011593.article https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/ritonavir/4011593.ar... The (fear-mongering chaser?): > This wasn’t the first drug to show unexpected polymorphism. And it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Research published in 2018 suggests that a more stable polymorph is waiting to be created for about fifteen to fifty percent of all drugs.