HIV pioneer wins BACG Young Scientists Award
13 Jul 2024
Research and application scientist at the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre Dr Pietro Sacchi has won the British Association for Crystal Growth (BACG) Young Scientists Award for his work on the HIV drug Ritonavir.
The BACG award is given annually to a candidate deemed to have made the most significant advance in the understanding of the theory, practice, or characterisation of crystal growth processes, as published in scientific literature over the previous three years.
Sacchi's research focuses on the control of polymorphism, whereby organic compounds can crystallise into different forms, whose differing physical properties impact drug delivery. Specifically, his studies of Ritonavir revealed how ball mill grinding experiments, under carefully designed conditions such as solvent and milling times, can uncover the drug’s so-called ‘elusive’ polymorph and recover its ‘disappearing’ polymorph.
Polymorphs are different crystalline forms of a compound; elusive polymorphs are challenging to isolate, while disappearing ones can be observed initially but prove resistant to attempts at reproduction or rediscovery.
The scientist’s former PhD supervisor, University of Durham professor Aurora Cruz-Cabeza, nominated him based on his paper, Crystal size, shape, and conformational changes drive both the disappearance and reappearance of ritonavir polymorphs in the mill.
His work demonstrated that the thermodynamic stability of polymorphs can be reversed in the mill, owing to factors such as crystal size, shape, and molecular conformation effects, as shown through molecular simulations. Meticulously designed ball milling conditions offered unprecedented control with the potential to revolutionise pharmaceutical solid form discovery and development, said the CCDC in a statement.
It added that, as well as advancing scientific understanding, the research also offers potential solutions to issues of drug development and manufacturing.
“I am honoured to receive this recognition from the BACG for the hard work I did during my PhD and to have had the chance to give a plenary talk that was very well received. The credit goes to my PhD supervisor Aurora, and to all the amazing people that I collaborated with on my studies of ritonavir,” said Sacchi.
Congratulating Sacchi, CCDC’s CEO Jürgen Harter said the award further recognised the centre’s commitment to advancing structural science for the benefit of society.
