KVAL: Enabling NMR technology

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers are widely used instruments that provide rich molecular information. We believe that NMR is well suited to the in-depth study of particular drug characteristics, however there is a technological gap that currently prevents this. We have developed a technology that bridges this gap and enables a new range of assays with NMR. With the help of the Norwegian Research Council, we will increase the breadth and depth of data gained from these assays and prepare to make our technology available for use in research and industry. Our ultimate goal is to play our part in improving the drug development process so that high quality, detailed information can be analysed early, leading to better drugs available in shorter timeframes.

The outcomes of the project include confirmation that the device is compatible with membranes that correspond to significant pharmaceutical interests and use-case scenarios. Partners for further development have been identified, and a patent application has been filed. This leaves the project in a strong position to seek further funding as a proof-of-concept project. The long-term impact of the technology is to open up new ways of using NMR spectroscopy to answer scientific and applied questions, relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and potentially other industries in the fields of battery and materials science. The capability of miniaturizing molecular transport assays into an NMR tube to monitor processes in real-time is expected to generate higher-quality data that can improve the drug development pipeline, saving valuable time and resources.