Uniqsis press releases
New Manifold improves performance
04/2010
The Uniqsis FlowSyn™ flow chemistry system now has an upgraded pump manifold that continuously monitors each high pressure reagent channel and alerts the user to any flow abnormalities, saving time and precious reagents by preventing experiments continuing under erroneous conditions. Reagent immiscibility, incomplete wetting of pump components or the presence of static or transient air bubbles are the usual causes of the flow irregularities that sometimes occasionally occur during a run and in most cases can be corrected by re-priming the pump. Unfortunately with most systems this usually means aborting the experiment, but with the reagent manifold used in FlowSyn the pump can be re-primed “on the fly”, so that the run can continue. Interlocks are provided so that if the error is not remedied within a specified period, the experiment is aborted. If an error condition is detected in one pump channel, the other is automatically stopped simultaneously until the problem is dealt with. New and improved automatic injection valves are now available for FlowSyn, with specially designed, highly inert rotor seals and larger diameter channels that allow sample loops to be filled more quickly and are less easily blocked. These new valves can be retro-fitted to any FlowSyn unit with electrically operated injection valves. As an added convenience, vertical syringe ports mean that syringes can be left in place during a run to make re-priming easier. The FlowSyn Continuous Flow Reactor integrates all the essential elements for continuous flow chemistry into a single, easy to use package. FlowSyn is simple to set up and operate and offers safe, unattended operation for tasks such as synthesis, reaction optimisation and scale up experiments, in quantities from milligrams to hundreds of grams.
US Service Partner
03/2010
Uniqsis selects Teledyne Isco as service provider for continuous flow reactor equipment in the USA
Innovative continuous flow reactor manufacturer, Uniqsis Ltd of Cambridge, UK is to utilize the service capabilities of Teledyne Isco, Inc. in the USA. Teledyne Isco will provide post-installation field, depot and warranty repair services, as well as equipment repair service consultation via telephone in the USA for Uniqsis FlowSyn Continuous Flow Reactor systems. The service agreement is for units installed since January, 2010. Uniqsis will continue to provide sales, marketing, and application support. Teledyne Isco, who markets a range of liquid chromatography equipment for purification of organic compounds, employs a dedicated team of field service engineers in key locations and uses internal call centre engineers to provide repair service support throughout the United States. Uniqsis is now focusing significant effort on increasing sales and customer service in the US market. To manage the developing business opportunities in the US first hand, Samantha Dunnage, Uniqsis COO, is basing herself on the East Coast of the USA. Dunnage explained: “Deciding to base myself on the East Coast of the US in the hotbed of Pharma and Biotech has helped to increase the market’s awareness of Uniqsis, and customers feel reassured to have a local representative to assist with training and technical questions. We recognize that the size of the US market made it imperative that all areas of the country have support. That is why we made the decision to look for cont/ a service provider who has the same customer-focused support philosophy with service engineers located in key regional areas.” Since its launch in 2007, the FlowSyn™ reactor has proved a popular instrument within the chemistry research market sector. The reactor’s ease of use and flexibility have allowed chemists to widen the scope of chemistry they can perform in the lab and effortlessly scale up reactions to multi hundred gram batches. Uniqsis customers will receive excellent service and support. The robustness of FlowSyn™, coupled with the company’s dedication to customer satisfaction, has seen the market for FlowSyn™ increase dramatically, with many customers purchasing multiple instruments. FlowSyn™ customer, Peter Bonk, Ph.D., Head of Chemistry at CSCS Corp, said: “We looked carefully at the flow systems on the market and decided to purchase the FlowSyn™ reactor from Uniqsis because of its capabilities and ease of use. Service was also a key element we considered".
Uniqsis - Uninterrupted Flow Chemistry!
01/2010
The Uniqsis FlowSyn™ flow chemistry system now has an upgraded pump manifold that continuously monitors each high pressure reagent channel and alerts the user to any flow abnormalities, saving time and precious reagents by preventing experiments continuing under erroneous conditions. Reagent immiscibility, incomplete wetting of pump components or the presence of static or transient air bubbles are the usual causes of the flow irregularities that sometimes occasionally occur during a run, and in most cases can be corrected by re-priming the pump. Unfortunately with most systems this usually means aborting the experiment, but with the reagent manifold used in FlowSyn the pump can be re-primed “on the fly”, so that the run can continue.
Interlocks are provided so that if the error is not remedied within a specified period, the experiment is aborted. If an error condition is detected in one pump channel, the other is automatically stopped simultaneously until the problem is dealt with.
New and improved automatic injection valves are now available for FlowSyn, with specially designed, highly inert rotor seals and larger diameter channels that allow sample loops to be filled more quickly and are less easily blocked. These new valves can be retro-fitted to any FlowSyn unit with electrically operated injection valves. As an added convenience, vertical syringe ports mean that syringes can be left in place during a run to make re-priming easier.
The FlowSyn Continuous Flow Reactor integrates all the essential elements for continuous flow chemistry into a single, easy to use package. FlowSyn is simple to set up and operate and offers safe, unattended operation for tasks such as synthesis, reaction optimisation and scale up experiments, in quantities from milligrams to hundreds of grams.
Sub-Ambient Flow Chemistry
03/2009
A new interchangeable reactor tray is now available for the Uniqsis FlowSyn Continuous Flow Reactor that extends the system?s working temperature range down to -40?C. The ?Cold Tray? Reactor Module was developed in response to user requests for sub-ambient capability and can be fitted retrospectively to existing FlowSyn systems in a few minutes.
FlowSyn Multiple Experiment package
12/2008
New functionality for the Uniqsis FlowSyn continuous flow reactor allows the user to conduct multiple flow chemistry experiments in a single run - ideal for reaction optimisation, profiling or scale up.
Introduced at the recent 2nd Uniqsis Flow Chemistry Symposium in Cambridge, the optional Multiple Experiment Package integrates the FlowSyn reactor with a Gilson FC203B or FC204 fraction collector to produce a very compact, cost-effective system capable of running up to 10 sequential experiments with different reaction times, temperatures and reagent ratios. Everything, including the fraction collector, is controlled via the easy-to-use FlowSyn user interface, so no separate PC is needed. Setting up 10 experiments takes only a few minutes, as the user only has to set up one reaction completely. This is then replicated to create a series of experiments, in which individual parameters can easily be modified by the chemist using a simple spreadsheet user interface.
Two operating protocols are available. In fractionation mode, reaction products are collected in programmed fractions. In the unique optimisation mode, product is collected, during a programmable window, in a single vial. A small aliquot can also be taken during the experiment and delivered into an LCMS vial where it can be mixed with a quench reagent so that reaction progress can be measured.
FlowSyn offers several choices of reactor. The innovative FlowSyn coiled reactors (patent pending) are available with different volumes and materials ? stainless steel, PTFE or PEEK and Hastelloy? and can be used at up to 260?C and pressures up to 1000psi (~70 Bar) in complete safety. A variety of column reactors is also available, and the new FlowSyn cooling tray takes reaction temperatures down to -60?C.
FlowSyn continuous flow reactor is making high temperature chemistry available in no time at all
06/2008
The preparation of pharmacologically important 2-amino-pyridines by direct nucleophilic displacement of unactivated 2-chloropyridine requires harsh conditions and is typically low yielding.
This situation can be resolved by the use of metal catalysed cross-coupling conditions, but this necessitates more extensive purification to subsequently remove the metal catalyst.
Alternatively, the direct uncatalysed preparation of 2?morpholinyl-pyridine, for example, may be straightforwardly achieved conversion under continuous throughput conditions by heating a mixture of morpholine and unactivated 2-chloropyridine to 250oC in NMP for only 20 min. 2-Morpholinyl-pyridine is obtained in high yield and excellent purity.
FlowSyn? is able to perform this chemistry safely and automatically, freeing up the user to concentrate on their next discovery.
FlowSyn continuous flow reactor is making high temperature chemistry available in no time at all
Continuous Flow Synthesis Gets Hotter
05/2008
Raising the reaction temperature achievable with the FlowSyn? Continuous Flow Reactor has considerably widened the scope of reactions that can be performed, say manufacturers Uniqsis of Cambridge. Reactions can now be carried out at up to 260?C and pressures up to 1000psi (~70 Bar).
Turning the Tide with Flow Chemistry
04/2008
by Dr Mark Ladlow
The advent of direct microwave heating has become
an established and useful methodology in the synthetic chemists toolbox. An alternative approach, however, utilises continuous processing. ?Flow chemistry? has
the potential to deliver advantages on two levels. Firstly, the need to reduce cost is
increasingly attracting the attention of the drug discovery community. In particular, the
adoption of continuous flow processes presents an opportunity to reduce cycle times
and impact the whole of the drug discovery process from early stage R&D to the
eventual successful production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Flow Chemistry Company Moves Ahead
01/2008
Significant developments are reported by Uniqsis, the Cambridge-based joint venture company formed in January 2007 to develop a new concept in flow chemistry, leading to the launch of the FlowSyn? Continuous Flow Reactor at the end of last year.
Companies unite to deliver product within year!
01/2008
Two Cambridge companies have forged an alliance to overcome the fuzziness of the front end of innovation, resulting in the rapid formation of an entirely new product, from concept to manufacture in less than one year...
Easier Optimisation and Scale-Up with new Flow Reactor
11/2007
Easier scale-up without re-optimisation using a new micro-reactor is described in a new Applications Note from Uniqsis Ltd of Cambridge...
Uniqsis New High Performance Flow Reactor
11/2007
A novel new micro-reactor, now available for the FlowSyn? reaction system recently launched by Uniqsis Ltd of Cambridge, is claimed to offer major improvements in reproducibility and performance compared with conventional flow reactor designs.
New Continuous Flow Reactor launched
11/2007
Uniqsis Ltd of Cambridge have 'Accessible Flow Chemistry' as their maxim, and the new FlowSyn? Continuous Flow Reactor has clearly been developed with this in mind.
Microreaction System Nears Launch
08/2007
Cambridge UK: Uniqsis Ltd, the Cambridge-based company formed in January 2007 to develop a new concept in microreaction flow chemistry has announced major progress towards launching FlowSyn? later in the year.
New Company Focuses on Flow Chemistry
05/2007
Two well known Cambridge-based science companies have joined forces to develop a new concept in flow chemistry aimed at bringing this promising synthesis technique within the reach of every laboratory.