From crystal structure prediction to totally empirical screening, the quest for
new crystal forms has become one of the most challenging issues in the solid
state science and particularly in the pharmaceutical world. In this context,
multi-component crystalline materials like co-crystals have received renewed
interest as they offer the prospect of optimized physical properties. As
illustrated in this first book_ entirely dedicated to this emerging class of
pharmaceutical compounds_ the outcome of such endeavours into crystal
engineering have demonstrated clear impacts on production, marketing and
intellectual property protection of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Indeed, co-crystallization influences relevant physico-chemical parameters (such
as solubility, dissolution rate, chemical stability, melting point,
hygroscopicity, ...)