Experts in Crystal Forms · CRO specialized in Solid-State Chemistry

When the molecule is potent or controlled,
the lab has to be both

PCL Research & Manufacturing is an integrated CRO/CDMO: solid-state R&D, GMP analysis and non-GMP manufacturing under one roof. Its laboratory, certified by AIFA and inspected by the FDA, handles high-potency APIs up to OEB5 and controlled substances — one of the few in Europe to combine all three.

Integrated services R&D GMP Analysis CDMO
20+
Years of Experience
OEB5
HPAPI Capability
GMP
AIFA Certified Lab
FDA
Inspected Facility
MoH
Controlled Substances
Our niche

Three qualifications. One laboratory.

PCL Research & Manufacturing is one of the few laboratories in Europe that hold all three, so a potent, scheduled API can be analysed end to end without splitting the work across sites.

AIFA GMP

GMP analytical laboratory

Certified by AIFA, the Italian Medicines Agency, and inspected by the U.S. FDA.

Certificate IT/90/H/2025 GMP Analysis
OEB5

High-potency APIs

Analysis and handling of HPAPIs up to OEB5, with containment and procedures built for the tightest exposure limits.

Up to OEB5 HPAPI analysis
MoH

Controlled substances

Authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health to receive, store and analyse narcotic and psychotropic APIs.

Ministry of Health authorization Controlled substances

Where they meet: a potent, controlled API analysed under GMP, with one quality system, one register and one chain of custody.

About PCL Research & Manufacturing

A different kind of
scientific partner

PCL Research & Manufacturing s.r.l. is a privately owned CRO/CDMO providing reliable solutions to optimise and control the crystallisation process of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients — since 2005.

Our mission is to support clients during drug development, helping them reduce batch failure, avoid costly crystallisation issues and offer greater confidence in drug quality. We support you from early-phase discovery to kilogram-scale non-GMP supply.

We are a high-performing team of trained chemists and analysts with more than 20 years of experience in API crystallization, caring about results and innovation based on sound science.

Discover the Company
PCL Research & Manufacturing LaboratoryMedicina, Bologna — Italy
Business Areas

Integrated Contract Services

From analytical characterization to kilogram-scale non-GMP manufacturing — complete pharmaceutical development support.

01

Analyze

Complete range of GMP-certified analytical capabilities. FDA inspected, authorized for HPAPI handling up to OEB5.

  • cGMP Analyses
  • Method Development & Validation
  • Quality Control
  • Dissolution & Solubility Studies
Explore Analyze
02

R & D

From co-crystal discovery to process optimization — unique solid-state experience. Data-driven, de-risk your API development.

  • Polymorph, Co-crystal & Salt Screening
  • Solid Form Selection & Preformulation
  • Amorphous Dispersion
  • Process Development & Route Scouting
Explore R&D
03

CDMO

Contract development & non-GMP manufacturing from development batches to kilogram-scale supply. Robust scale-up transfer.

  • Kilo-lab scale non-GMP (50L units)
  • Controlled Reactors (up to 5L)
  • In-situ monitoring (FBRM, ReactIR)
  • Spray drying & process transfer
Explore CDMO
HPAPI · OEB5 · Controlled Substances

Potent compounds,
fully contained

We are authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health to study, produce and analyze controlled substances and highly potent APIs up to OEB5 — with dedicated containment and handling protocols that keep your most demanding molecules safe at every step.

Up to OEB5 MoH Authorized Dedicated Containment GMP Analytics
Explore HPAPI capabilities
Quality & Compliance

Certified to the Highest Standards

Our analytical facility operates under strict regulatory compliance, giving pharmaceutical partners worldwide complete confidence in quality and integrity.

FDA

FDA Inspected Facility

Our analytical facility has been inspected by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, confirming adherence to international pharmaceutical quality standards.

GMP

AIFA GMP Certified Lab

Our analytical department is certified to work according to GMP by AIFA. Certified: XRPD, FT-Raman, FT-IR and Particle Size Distribution.

MoH

Controlled Substances

Authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health for the study, production and analysis of controlled substances and HPAPIs up to OEB5.

Capability Statement

Four regulated capabilities.
One European site.

A single A4 sheet covering our GMP-certified analytics, controlled-substances authorisation, HPAPI containment to OEB5 and full structure determination — plus two representative engagement profiles with typical scope and timelines. Written for the people who need to compare suppliers quickly.

GMP analytics — AIFA certified HPAPI up to OEB5 SC-XRD · Neutron · MicroED

Print-ready A4 · English · no form required

Company Brochure

Twelve pages on how
we work, and why.

The full picture: why the solid form decides whether a drug works, what each of our four capabilities covers, four anonymised engagements showing the work in practice, and how a programme runs from first conversation to final report.

Why solid-state decides the drug Analyze · techniques in full Structure & absolute configuration R&D · a screening campaign CDMO · scales and containment Four representative engagements How a programme runs Certifications & instrumentation

12 pages · print-ready A4 · English · no form required

Latest Updates

News & Insights

Scientific publications, industry news and company announcements from PCL Research & Manufacturing.

Insights

Why First-Time-Right Should Replace Fastest-to-File as the Default CMC Mindset

A closer look at why rushing CMC data packages often costs more time than it saves — and what to do instead.

14 Ott 20265 min read
Insights

A Phase-Appropriate Roadmap for Validating Solid-State Analytical Methods

A practical, stage-by-stage checklist for validating XRPD, DSC/TGA, SS-NMR and Raman methods without over-investing early or scrambling late.

7 Ott 20265 min read
Insights

Solid-State Method Development for a High-Potency Intermediate Under OEB5

An anonymized case study on reconciling high-containment safety, analytical sensitivity, and audit-ready data for a cytotoxic intermediate.

6 Ott 20266 min read
In development
Innovation · AI Platform

CrystallQ: predicting crystal forms before the first experiment

Polymorph screening tells you what a molecule did in the lab. CrystallQ, the AI-supported platform PCL Research & Manufacturing is now developing, is built to tell you what it is likely to do — ranking probable crystal forms, packing motifs and salt or co-crystal candidates from structure alone, before a single vial is set up. The aim is not to replace the experiment but to aim it: fewer blind screening routes, earlier warning of a metastable form, and a shorter path to a developable solid. Built on two decades of PCL Research & Manufacturing crystallization data and validated against our own experimental results.

Trained on 20+ years of dataPilot partners wanted

We are looking for pilot partners. If you have a molecule that has resisted conventional screening, we would like to test CrystallQ against it — and share what we find with you.

Developed in line with Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (the AI Act): predictions are scientific decision support, always reviewed by our scientists, never trained on your data for anyone else. How we govern AI.

Join the CrystallQ pilot
Updated service
Services · R&D

New: Formulation Compatibility Program

An API that is stable on its own can still fail in the tablet. Our new program tests your solid form against the excipients, the process and the moisture of the product, looking for chemical degradation and solid-state changes such as salt disproportionation or polymorphic conversion, before the formulation is locked.

Drug–excipient screeningSolid-state evidence
Discover the program
White paper
Knowledge · Solid State

White paper: crystal forms, salts and co-crystals

A practical guide to choosing the solid form of an API: polymorphs, hydrates, the amorphous state, salts and co-crystals — what each one changes, when each is available, and what it costs to decide late. Includes a side-by-side comparison of the five approaches.

Free to readPrintable A4
Read the white paper
2026–2027
Events · Meet the team

Where to meet PCL Research & Manufacturing in 2026 and 2027

Nine fairs, conferences and partnering meetings on both sides of the Atlantic: CPHI Milan, AAPS PharmSci 360, DCAT Week, BIO-Europe Spring, the BCA Spring Meeting, the Global DDF Summit, BOS Basel, Farmaforum and CPHI Frankfurt. The full calendar, with dates, venues and a meeting request for each event, is on the new Events page.

Europe & USABook a one-to-one
See the events calendar
6–8 Oct 2026
Events · CPHI Milan

Meet PCL Research & Manufacturing at CPHI Milan 2026

PCL Research & Manufacturing will take part in CPHI Milan 2026 — the world's largest pharma event — held at Fiera Milano, 6–8 October 2026. Let's discuss your API crystallization, HPAPI and solid-state projects in person. Book a meeting with our team.

Fiera Milano (Rho)62k+ attendees
Request a meeting at CPHI
25–28 Oct 2026
Events · AAPS PharmSci 360

Meet PCL Research & Manufacturing at AAPS PharmSci 360, New Orleans

PCL Research & Manufacturing will be at AAPS PharmSci 360 in New Orleans, 25–28 October 2026 — the reference meeting for pharmaceutical sciences in North America. A good place to talk polymorph and co-crystal screening, amorphous dispersions and structure determination with the scientists who run the work.

New Orleans, LAPharmaceutical sciences
Request a meeting at AAPS
15–18 Mar 2027
Events · DCAT Week

Meet PCL Research & Manufacturing at DCAT Week 2027

We'll also attend DCAT Week 2027 — the premier business-development event for the global pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain — in New York City, 15–18 March 2027. Schedule a one-to-one meeting to explore how PCL Research & Manufacturing can support your development pipeline.

New York Hilton MidtownBusiness development
Request a meeting at DCAT
New service
Services · Structural Analysis

Structure determination and absolute configuration now available at PCL Research & Manufacturing

PCL Research & Manufacturing extends its analytical portfolio with full structure determination and absolute configuration assignment. The offer combines Single Crystal XRD (lab instrument or synchrotron based), Neutron Diffraction for precise hydrogen positions and hydrogen-bond networks, and Micro Electron Diffraction for structures from sub-micron crystals that cannot be grown any larger. Together they resolve chirality, confirm salt versus co-crystal nature and support patent and regulatory filings.

Aug 2026SC-XRD · Neutron · MicroED
Explore the service
R&D · Solid State

Polymorph Screening Best Practices in API Development

Understanding solid-state properties early helps avoid manufacturing problems and improve drug performance and bioavailability.

Jun 20255 min read
Analytics · GMP

New HPAPI Analytical Capabilities — OEB5 Authorization

PCL Research & Manufacturing expands controlled substance analytical services with full OEB5 authorization from the Italian Ministry of Health.

Apr 20253 min read
CDMO

Scaling Up Crystallization Processes: From Grams to Kilograms

How robust process development de-risks the transition from lab-scale to non-GMP API manufacturing.

Feb 20254 min read
Get In Touch

Let's talk about
your project

Analytical testing, solid form screening, or non-GMP development & manufacturing — our team of experts is ready to support your drug development program.

Registered Office & R&D Lab

Via F.S. Fabri, 127/1 — 40059 Medicina (BO), Italy

Analyze Lab

Via Della Cooperazione, 29 — 40059 Medicina (BO), Italy

Send us a message

We'll respond within 24 business hours.