Smithers Rapra announced the opening of its extractables and leachables (E&L) lab located in Akron, Ohio at the Akron Global Business Accelerator. The lab will serve clients requiring E&L studies and/or food contact analyses.
Recently added to support the North American client base, Principal Scientist Alison Schweda brings a decade of experience in chemistry and research management in the pharmaceutical industry. She most recently worked as a research scientist at the Charles River Laboratory in Ashland, Ohio. Schweda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Hillsdale College.
“We are continuously investing in new technology and expertise so that we can be a true global partner for our clients and provide the outstanding services they expect from Smithers,” said Nat Leonard, President, Smithers Rapra. “With this new lab, Smithers is one of the few contract research organizations providing extractables and leachables and food contact assessments in both North America and Europe. Smithers works with clients on the entire lifecycle of medical components and devices: E&L analyses, materials characterization, device performance analysis and packaging optimization.”
The new lab, led by General Manager Paul Cummings, enhances the analytical service capabilities available from Smithers Rapra in North America. From risk assessment and study design to method development, study execution and regulatory submission, the team’s goal is to support clients through the development process. Laboratory capabilities include:
- Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-UV Qtof MS)
- FTIR
- pH
- Conductivity
The lab is an investment in Smithers’ long term strategy to better serve the medical device, pharmaceutical and food industries as clients continue to seek specific expertise to assist in their new product development. Earlier in 2017, Smithers opened a dedicated medical device testing Lab in Shawbury, UK and made expansions in personnel and equipment to support migration chemistry studies at its Shawbury, UK analytical lab.