Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FASS (Fast and Accurate Solubility for Sustainability)
Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2025-05-31
Solubility is a critical property in chemistry, particularly in pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, and regulation. Every new drug candidate must be tested for solubility, yet current methods are either fast but imprecise or accurate, but slow and resource intensive. These limitations lead to high costs, excessive chemical use, and slow progress during early drug discovery.
The EU-funded FASS project (Fast and Accurate Solubility Screening) offers a sustainable and efficient solution to this challenge. Using an advanced optical method called high-efficiency second harmonic scattering (SHS), the project is developing a novel solubility measurement instrument that combines speed, precision, and minimal resource use. Compared to conventional technologies, FASS can reduce testing time and costs by 90%, chemical consumption by 99%, and energy use by 97%, while also requiring fewer compounds.
FASS is more than a technical innovation. It supports broader goals in sustainability, competitiveness, and efficiency for European science and industry. The project brings together a startup leading commercialization, a European research infrastructure for user validation, a technology center for system development, and a pharmaceutical institute exploring real-world applications.
Its objectives are to develop a robust demonstrator instrument, validate the technology with early adopters in pharma and chemistry, and build a sound business model and go-to-market strategy for future deployment. By enabling faster and greener (i.e. highly material saving) solubility testing, FASS contributes to the European Green Deal and Pharmaceutical Strategy. In the long term, the technology and benchmarking data will support better drug discovery practices in academia and industry, while the business model ensures lasting impact and continued innovation.
The EU-funded FASS project (Fast and Accurate Solubility Screening) offers a sustainable and efficient solution to this challenge. Using an advanced optical method called high-efficiency second harmonic scattering (SHS), the project is developing a novel solubility measurement instrument that combines speed, precision, and minimal resource use. Compared to conventional technologies, FASS can reduce testing time and costs by 90%, chemical consumption by 99%, and energy use by 97%, while also requiring fewer compounds.
FASS is more than a technical innovation. It supports broader goals in sustainability, competitiveness, and efficiency for European science and industry. The project brings together a startup leading commercialization, a European research infrastructure for user validation, a technology center for system development, and a pharmaceutical institute exploring real-world applications.
Its objectives are to develop a robust demonstrator instrument, validate the technology with early adopters in pharma and chemistry, and build a sound business model and go-to-market strategy for future deployment. By enabling faster and greener (i.e. highly material saving) solubility testing, FASS contributes to the European Green Deal and Pharmaceutical Strategy. In the long term, the technology and benchmarking data will support better drug discovery practices in academia and industry, while the business model ensures lasting impact and continued innovation.
During the first reporting period, the FASS project made significant progress in developing and validating a novel solubility measurement technology based on high-efficiency second harmonic scattering (SHS). A system prototype was successfully designed, constructed, and prepared for internal testing and performance optimization. Benchmarking activities were initiated to compare the instrument’s performance against gold-standard analytical techniques such as HPLC and nephelometry.
In parallel, application scouting was carried out to explore new scientific use cases for the FASS technology. Promising leads for applications for FASS as a screening tool were identified. A particular focus was in the field of pharmaceutical pre-formulation. Early findings indicate that FASS may provide unique advantages as a highly material saving and non-destructive analytical method.
Furthermore, a solubility measurement service was launched using the prototype instrument, enabling initial market entry and generating operational feedback. This technical validation in a real-world context has informed further calibration and system improvements. The technological maturity achieved in this phase lays the groundwork for extensive compound testing, application development, and instrument demonstration planned for the next period.
In parallel, application scouting was carried out to explore new scientific use cases for the FASS technology. Promising leads for applications for FASS as a screening tool were identified. A particular focus was in the field of pharmaceutical pre-formulation. Early findings indicate that FASS may provide unique advantages as a highly material saving and non-destructive analytical method.
Furthermore, a solubility measurement service was launched using the prototype instrument, enabling initial market entry and generating operational feedback. This technical validation in a real-world context has informed further calibration and system improvements. The technological maturity achieved in this phase lays the groundwork for extensive compound testing, application development, and instrument demonstration planned for the next period.
The FASS project has successfully completed the proof of concept for integrating an ultrafast femtosecond laser into a benchtop instrument, demonstrating the feasibility of using high-efficiency second harmonic scattering (SHS) for practical solubility measurement. This approach offers a novel combination of speed, accuracy, and minimal resource use, extending the limitations of current analytical methods.
A new solubility measurement service based on this technology has been developed and launched, providing early access to users and generating marketing insights. To ensure broader uptake, the next phase will focus on benchmarking, instrument demonstration activities, and validation in real-world settings. Continued support for commercialization, validation of the go-to-market strategy, regulatory alignment, IP & protection and market access will be essential to fully realize the impact of this innovation.
A new solubility measurement service based on this technology has been developed and launched, providing early access to users and generating marketing insights. To ensure broader uptake, the next phase will focus on benchmarking, instrument demonstration activities, and validation in real-world settings. Continued support for commercialization, validation of the go-to-market strategy, regulatory alignment, IP & protection and market access will be essential to fully realize the impact of this innovation.