Pharmaceutical intermediates

Many API makers buy intermediates from specialist suppliers, which makes this a large and active market, especially between India, China and Europe. Requests usually come with a target structure, a CAS number if one exists, a purity specification by HPLC, limits for specific impurities and isomers, and a required quantity from kilograms to tonnes.

Before ordering, confirm whether the material is a regulatory starting material or a GMP intermediate for your process, and ask for the route of synthesis summary, impurity profile, residual solvents, mutagenic impurity assessment and a sample for qualification. Change control matters, so agree that the supplier will notify you before changing the route, raw materials or site. Custom synthesis can be arranged through a request for quote with a confidentiality agreement.