Sygnature Discovery has completed a major upgrade of its high-throughput chemistry (HTC) capabilities and lab infrastructure, following a £1 million investment aimed at accelerating early-stage drug discovery.

The enhancements have doubled the platform’s compound synthesis and purification capacity, enabling greater throughput in the same timeframe. The company said the upgrade will provide researchers with faster access to compounds, supporting more rapid iteration and decision-making in discovery programmes.

HTC platforms use automated workflows to synthesise and purify large volumes of small molecules. Sygnature’s HTC offering is integrated with its in-house high-throughput screening (HTS) platform, which is used to assess compound libraries against biological targets.

As part of the investment, Sygnature has incorporated supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) into its HTC platform. While SFC is increasingly adopted across the sector, it remains less common in HTC workflows due to infrastructure and operational complexity. The company said it will now offer both reverse-phase and SFC purification options, enabling broader optimisation depending on compound properties.

The upgraded facilities, located in Nottingham, are expected to become fully operational in August. Sygnature said the expansion is a key part of its wider growth strategy.

“Our successful track record over the past 20 years on client projects demonstrates our ability to validate robust syntheses and utilise automated processes to deliver high-quality science quickly and efficiently,” said Geraint Jones, director of chemistry at Sygnature Discovery.

“This investment in our capabilities further enhances the value for our customers and reinforces our commitment to delivering cutting-edge services. Our customers want to partner with a CRO that will help them hit their milestones. This expansion proves we are that partner. We have the facilities, flexibility, and scientific excellence to deliver.”