Rigaku Partners with Spera Pharma to Advance Drug Development
In a move poised to reshape the landscape of drug discovery and pharmaceutical development, Rigaku Corporation—a leading scientific instrumentation manufacturer—and SPERA PHARMA, Inc., a cutting-edge contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO)—have entered into a groundbreaking strategic partnership. Announced jointly by both organizations, the collaboration aims to integrate and leverage advanced electron diffraction technologies to accelerate the development of novel pharmaceutical compounds, enhance analytical capabilities, and drive innovation at the molecular level.
A Vision for Transformative Collaboration
Headquartered in Akishima, Tokyo, Rigaku Corporation operates as a core company under Rigaku Holdings Corporation. Under the leadership of CEO Jun Kawakami, Rigaku has long established itself as a pioneer in the development of X-ray and electron diffraction instruments. The company’s latest technological offering—the XtaLAB Synergy-ED—is at the heart of this new alliance.
On the other side of the partnership stands SPERA PHARMA, Inc., based in Osaka and led by President and Representative Director Keitaro Iwaki. SPERA PHARMA specializes in the integrated development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug products, offering comprehensive services that support pharmaceutical companies from the early stages of drug discovery through clinical trials and commercial manufacturing. With a mission centered on providing agile and scientifically rigorous support for pharmaceutical innovation, SPERA PHARMA has quickly become a key player in Japan’s CDMO sector.
Together, these two organizations are now aligning their respective strengths to revolutionize the tools and processes used in modern drug development. At the core of the collaboration is the deployment of the XtaLAB Synergy-ED platform, a state-of-the-art solution developed by Rigaku for electron diffraction-based structural analysis.
XtaLAB Synergy-ED: Unlocking Atomic-Level Insights
The XtaLAB Synergy-ED system represents a paradigm shift in structural analysis technologies available to the pharmaceutical industry. Traditionally, the determination of atomic and molecular structures of pharmaceutical compounds has relied heavily on single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). However, SCXRD methods often face limitations when only microcrystalline or powdered samples are available—a common issue in early-stage drug discovery where candidate compounds may be synthesized in tiny quantities.
This is where the XtaLAB Synergy-ED steps in. Based on 3D Electron Diffraction (3D ED) or Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (MicroED) methodologies, this platform enables high-resolution structure determination even from nanocrystals and minute amounts of crystalline powders. Utilizing the interaction of electrons rather than X-rays, the technology is capable of resolving atomic-level details with unprecedented sensitivity and precision.
The incorporation of this advanced system into SPERA PHARMA’s analytical service offerings marks a major milestone—not just for the company itself, but for the global pharmaceutical development sector. SPERA PHARMA is currently the only pharmaceutical industry player worldwide offering contract analytical services using the XtaLAB Synergy-ED platform. This positions the company at the leading edge of structural analysis services, with the capacity to support clients working on challenging and novel pharmaceutical compounds.
Driving Efficiency and Accuracy in Drug Development
In pharmaceutical R&D, the ability to accurately determine the crystal structure of a compound is critical to understanding its pharmacological properties, stability, solubility, and potential bioavailability. Inadequate or delayed structural information can lead to significant bottlenecks in development timelines or, worse, flawed assumptions about a compound’s suitability as a drug candidate.
With the adoption of Rigaku’s electron diffraction technology, SPERA PHARMA aims to eliminate these roadblocks. The XtaLAB Synergy-ED system allows for rapid and precise structural analysis, even in situations where traditional X-ray crystallography fails. This can be particularly beneficial for identifying polymorphs, salts, co-crystals, and solvates—key components that influence the performance of drug formulations.
Furthermore, the partnership enables a new level of responsiveness and customization in contract analytical services. By offering access to cutting-edge technology supported directly by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM)—Rigaku—SPERA PHARMA clients benefit not only from superior technical capabilities but also from the expert knowledge and troubleshooting support that Rigaku can provide.
Rigaku’s Technical Support: A Backbone of the Partnership
To ensure the optimal use of the XtaLAB Synergy-ED within SPERA PHARMA’s operations, Rigaku is providing direct and ongoing technical support. This collaboration goes beyond equipment provision—it includes knowledge transfer, joint method development, and mutual efforts in research to further expand the potential applications of 3D ED/MicroED in pharmaceutical contexts.
This form of technical integration is crucial, given the complexity of electron diffraction methodologies and the specificity required for their effective use in pharmaceutical analysis. By building a close working relationship, the two companies aim to stay on the leading edge of structural science and analytical innovation.
Collaborative Research and Knowledge Dissemination
Another central element of the partnership is the joint effort to conduct collaborative research projects and disseminate knowledge about electron diffraction-based analytical methods. Rigaku and SPERA PHARMA intend to actively engage with the scientific and pharmaceutical communities by publishing results, hosting technical seminars, and participating in industry conferences.
This knowledge-sharing strategy aligns with both companies’ broader missions to not only advance internal capabilities but also elevate industry standards and foster innovation. By making their findings and techniques more accessible, they hope to catalyze wider adoption of electron diffraction technologies across the pharmaceutical sector and beyond.
Pioneering the Future of Pharmaceutical Development
This alliance is a clear reflection of the shifting dynamics in pharmaceutical R&D, where speed, precision, and adaptability are more important than ever. As drug development pipelines become increasingly complex and the demand for precision medicines continues to grow, tools like the XtaLAB Synergy-ED and expert service providers like SPERA PHARMA will play critical roles in ensuring that promising compounds make it from the lab bench to clinical application as efficiently and accurately as possible.
The partnership between Rigaku and SPERA PHARMA is emblematic of a new era in which scientific instrumentation companies and pharmaceutical service providers work together to overcome technological barriers and push the boundaries of what is possible in drug development.
A Synergistic Step Forward
With this strategic alliance, Rigaku and SPERA PHARMA are setting a new benchmark in the integration of advanced analytical technologies within pharmaceutical development workflows. By combining Rigaku’s expertise in electron diffraction with SPERA PHARMA’s deep experience in drug development services, the partnership is uniquely positioned to address some of the most persistent challenges in the field—from characterizing trace crystalline materials to accelerating the development of structurally complex molecules.
This collaboration is more than a commercial agreement—it is a vision of shared innovation, a model of how cross-sector partnerships can drive scientific advancement, and a powerful statement about the future of pharmaceutical R&D.
As the first pharmaceutical CDMO to offer contract analytical services utilizing the XtaLAB Synergy-ED platform, SPERA PHARMA is leading the charge toward more agile, data-driven, and scientifically grounded drug development. Rigaku’s continued support and technological innovation provide the foundation for this bold endeavor.
Together, the two companies are not just improving tools—they are transforming the very fabric of how medicines are discovered, developed, and delivered to the world.
