The growth of antibody-drug conjugates and targeted therapies has fundamentally changed the analytical demands placed on pharmaceutical development organisations. More programmes now depend on molecules that are biologically active at microgram levels, requiring containment controls, handling protocols and specialist analytical expertise that the majority of contract laboratories are not equipped to provide. For development and quality teams, the ability to find a partner with the validated infrastructure and operational track record to test these molecules safely, without slowing the programme, is not a secondary consideration. It is a prerequisite.

SGS International Service Laboratory (ISL), located in Ringaskiddy, County Cork, delivers GMP analytical testing for HPAPIs, ADC linkers, small molecules and reference standards under one roof. Stringent containment controls, disciplined sample custody and validated analytical methods combine to provide the safety, compliance and operational reliability that potent molecule programmes demand. Over 25 years of experience handling highly potent materials means the quality systems, containment infrastructure and scientific expertise are already proven, not being built around a new engagement.

The scale of SGS ISL's output reflects the consistency of that track record. More than 6,000 batches are released annually across 500-plus pharmaceutical products, spanning development, clinical and commercial programmes across a broad range of therapeutic categories. That volume, sustained over decades, represents a depth of operational experience that directly reduces programme risk for quality and development teams working with complex, high-value molecules.

Analytical services cover the full scope of high potency programme requirements, including HPAPI characterisation, ADC linker testing, reference standard analysis and small molecule testing, with containment controls scaled to the occupational exposure band of each material. Safe aliquoting, handling and international shipment of potent materials are managed within the same GMP framework, providing seamless end-to-end support from a single specialist facility.

For organisations bringing potent molecules through development and into commercial manufacturing, the combination of containment expertise, analytical breadth and proven batch release performance means programme timelines stay on track and compliance is never a question.

Discover how SGS ISL can keep high potency and ADC programmes on track: High Potency and ADC Testing brochure.