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.
