Smiths Detection and NCS Pharmaceuticals Expand Support Offerings for IONSCAN-LS™ End-Users

Danbury, CT, 22 April 2008 - Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announced that its Scientific business unit has formed a strategic relationship with NCS Pharmaceuticals to expand end-user support for IONSCAN-LS customers. The Somerset, NJ-based NCS’s CRO (Contract Research Organization) will provide analytical services including method development, method transfer and method validation for Smiths Detection Scientific and its IONSCAN-LS clients globally.

"NCS's excellent current Good Manufacturing Practices and current Good Laboratory Practices compliance and validation program (cGMP/cGLP) will allow our customers to streamline the fulfilment of FDA requirements. This relationship further positions Smiths Detection’s Ion mobility spectrometer, the IONSCAN-LS, as an innovative, ultra-fast, and cost reducing solution for pharmaceutical companies,” said Mike McCreary, Vice President, Scientific, Smiths Detection.

The IONSCAN-LS is currently used by large, mid-tier and small pharmaceutical companies to measures trace amounts of analytical pharmaceutical ingredients (API) or detergents for cleaning verification/monitoring studies. Unlike alternative technologies, such as High Pressure Chromatography (HPLC) or Total Organic Carbon (TOC), the IONSCAN-LS uses IMS technology allowing for faster analysis at a lower cost per sample. The NCS collaboration broadens Smiths Detection Scientific’s ability to evaluate, commercialize and support Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) in pharmaceutical applications, such as cleaning validation.

“The IONSCAN-LS is a powerful tool in anyone’s lab and our NCS team looks forward to collaborating with Smiths Detection Scientific on projects and advancing this technology commercialization initiative. Our combined efforts to expand end-user support will help customers solve today’s market challenges which they cannot do with HPLC and TOC," said Dr. Nikhil Saha, President and CEO, NCS Pharmaceuticals.

 

About Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection is part of the global technology business Smiths Group. It offers advanced integrated security solutions for customers in civil and military markets worldwide and is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband. Separate business units focus on related products for the life sciences, and food manufacturing industries. Smiths Detection Scientific simplifies science by developing rapid, easy-to-use application-focused tools for cleaning validation, material research and identification, manufacturing, industrial hygiene, and quality control. For more information visit: www.smithsdetection-sci.com.

About NCS Pharmaceuticals
NCS Pharmaceuticals is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing research and development services in the areas such as novel drug delivery systems, analytical method development, method validation and method transfer. The NCS analytical testing laboratory offers services to pharmaceutical, medical device, food, dietary supplement, cosmetics, chemical, and allied industries. Visit NCS's website at www.ncspharma.com

 

Media Contacts:   

David Olsen 
Coltrin & Associates for Smiths Detection
212-221-1616 ext. 118  
David_Olsen@Coltrin.com


Susan Cooper-Curcio
Smiths Detection
973-830-2131
susan.cooper@smithsdetection.com