Oncology and immunology drugs

Many of these APIs are highly potent or cytotoxic. They are made in contained facilities with occupational exposure bands, and they are packed and shipped with extra precautions. Quantities are often small, from grams to a few kilograms, and prices reflect complex synthesis, low volumes and the cost of containment. Some are produced by fermentation or extracted from natural sources, such as paclitaxel from yew.

Ask for the occupational exposure limit or band, the containment level used, the impurity profile including genotoxic impurities, the polymorphic form and the regulatory dossier status for your market. For development work, check whether the supplier can scale up and provide stability data. Remember that patents still protect many newer kinase inhibitors in some countries, so confirm that your use and market are free to operate.