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In part one of this two-part article, published in the August issue of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology Today , the author summarized the key features of thermal methods and related techniques and the main applications at key stages of drug development. The usefulness of such techniques combining both calorimetric and spectroscopic information was demonstrated for the characterization of the polymorphic properties of the solid state. In part two, further examples of application are provided, including studies for salt selection for stability and purity, and for the development of the galenical formulations.

Modern thermal analysis techniques and new emerging technologies delivering calorimetric, microscopic and spectroscopic information offer a powerful analytical battery for pharmaceutical development. Such techniques allow key studies to be performed rapidly during drug development and the associated output is high-quality information to support problem solving and rational formulation. The author provides a broad overview of the current status in thermal analysis, highlighting the most important techniques and their domains of application in relation to critical steps in drug development.