What we test
From raw materials to finished products, our expert teams test a wide variety of samples. Take advantage of a full range of GMP chemistry, microbiology, and stability services, as well as the scale to handle large volumes. Driven by excellence, we continuously adopt new technologies in order to offer the highest level of service.
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See what products we test
Raw materials
- Active pharmaceutical ingredients
- Fillers
- Binders
- Lubricants
- Colors and any other excipients
In-process and intermediate products
- Bulk mixtures of solids or liquids prior to filling into capsules or bottles
- Granules
- Encapsulated powder
- Materials before compressing into tablets
Packaging materials
- Packaging systems: bottles, blisters, vials, syringes, bags
- Packaging materials: plastic, glass, foil, bottles, strip packs, cards
Utility systems
- HVAC
- Water-for-injection (WFI)
- Purified water
- Clean/pure steam
- Compressed air systems
- Nitrogen
- Petri plates
- Biological indicators (BI)
Finished Products
- Pharmaceuticals, veterinary, cosmetics, natural health products
- Oral solid dosage forms (Tablets, capsules)
- Liquid dosage forms (syrups, parenteral, drops, softgels)
- Semi-solid dosage forms (Creams, gels, lotions, shampoos, ointments, suppositories)
- Pads, swabs, wipes
- Medical devices
- Vaccines
- Cannabis and derivative products (dry flower, powder, oil, emulsion, capsules)
Chemistry Analytical Testing
We've got great chemistry. It's a vital part of the process to ensure quality, safety, and of course regulatory compliance. Our clients count on our industry-leading technology and meticulous methodology every step of the way.
Wet Chemistry
- Titration assays, limit and gravimetric tests, visual examination
- Loss on drying and water determinations by Karl Fischer or coulometric
- Ultraviolet assay
- Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS)
- Inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- Thin-layer chromatography testing
- Fluorometry
Identification
- Ions visual identification tests
- Infrared and Ultraviolet identification
- Appearance, solubility, color and turbidity tests
- Chemical identification
- USP General identification tests
- EP identification tests
- Any other identification methods
Assay and Content Determination
These tests determine the exact potency of specific active ingredients contained in drug substances and other products. Our assay, content and identification tests use various techniques and technologies including HPLC, GC, IC, UV/Vis, AAS, ICP-MS, LC-MS, GC-MS, etc.
Related Substances and Impurities
We're able to determine the purity of drug substances and other products, quantify degradation products, and process impurities. We use a range of techniques and technologies like HPLC, GC, IC, UV/Vis, AAS, ICP-MS, LC-MS, GC-MS, etc.
Residual Solvents
If you need to determine the residual solvents in drug substances or products, we can test them using techniques such as GC (or HPLC), as well as gravimetric methods.
Dissolution
Count on thorough quantification of the level of active pharmaceutical ingredient released into a dissolution medium after an established duration. We use dissolution bath coupled with various techniques and technologies to perform this test including HPLC, GC, IC, UV/Vis, AAS, and ICP-MS, amongst others.
Elemental Impurities
We perform screening tests for elemental impurities contained in products. These quantitative and semi-quantitative tests are performed based on the USP requirements using the ICP-MS technology.
Physical and Physico-Chemical Tests
- Density, viscosity testing (capillary and rotational)
- pH determination and refractive index
- Total organic carbon testing (TOC), conductivity and resistivity
- DSC, osmolality, osmolarity
- Hardness, friability, disintegration, melting, freezing and congealing points
- Surface tension, gel strength and consistency
- Particle size, bulk and tapped densities
- Water activity
- Boiling point, distillation range
- Packaging material testing per general pharmacopeial chapters
Microbiology Analytical Testing
We're proud to have one of the largest and most comprehensive pharmaceutical microbiology labs in Canada.
Microbial Limits Tests and Bioburden
Used for determination and count of microbial contamination, including count of total bacteria and yeast and molds, we deliver testing per USP/EP general chapters and other methods.
Sterility Testing
Sterility testing serves to confirm the absence of microorganisms in the sample tested using per USP/EP general chapters and any other methods. Our Level 2 laboratory facilities include a dedicated Sterility Room where testing is performed in a Grade A GMP environment.
Bacterial Endotoxins Testing
These tests are performed to quantify the amount of endotoxins present in the sample tested. The kinetic chromogenic and gel clots methodologies can be used for this test, as well as per USP/EP general chapters or any other methods.
Water Testing and Environmental Monitoring
Get a meticulous determination of microbial water purity for regular water systems and for pharmaceutical usage. Our environmental monitoring serves to quantify and identify contaminants present in specified areas and locations and allows us to efficiently monitor the facility maintenance program.
Microbial Contaminant Identification
Offering the fastest cycle time, accuracy, and throughput available anywhere, we test for the identification of microorganisms using the Maldi-TOF technology. Our broad experience with this instrument has enabled us to build a proprietary library of microorganisms.
Antibiotic Assays
Our assay determination of a wide range of antibiotic molecules is done by the turbidimetric method or by the cylinder plate technique. It's performed per USP/EP general chapters amongst other methods.
Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test
This test provides an indication of the ability of a formulation to inhibit growth of microbial contaminants. It's performed per USP/EP general chapters amongst other methods.
Particulate Matter
Particulate testing is performed for multiple products using USP and EP general chapters, as well as other methods. It can be evaluated using a microscope or via HIAC technology.