image: Dr Sacchi receiving the BACG Award.
Credit: None
I am honoured to receive this recognition from the BACG for the hard work I did during my PhD and to have had the chance to give a plenary talk that was very well received. The credit goes to my PhD supervisor Aurora, and to all the amazing people that I collaborated with on my studies of ritonavir,” says Pietro
Pietro’s research addresses a critical issue in the pharmaceutical industry: the control of polymorphism, where organic compounds can crystallize into different forms with significantly varying physical properties that impact drug delivery. His study on the HIV drug ritonavir (RVR) revealed how ball mill grinding experiments, under carefully designed conditions such as solvent and milling times, can uncover its elusive polymorph (form II) and recover its disappearing polymorph (form I).
This work demonstrated that the thermodynamic stability of these polymorphs can be reversed in the mill, driven by factors such as crystal size, shape, and molecular conformation effects, as shown through molecular simulations. By meticulously designing ball milling conditions, Pietro’s research offers unprecedented control over conformational polymorphism, exemplified by RVR, which has the potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical solid form discovery and development.
“This award further recognizes our commitment to advancing structural science for the benefit of all – in this case pharmaceutical improvements to improve the lives of many. My congratulations go to Pietro and I look forward to his scientific career further developing at the CCDC,” adds Jürgen Harter, CCDC CEO.