The invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for performing high-throughput
preparation and screening of salts and polymorphs of drug candidates. The invention
is directed towards enhancing the pre-formulation discovery process used for drug
development. In particular, processes that determine suitable salts and processes
that discover substantially every polymorph that can form from a particular drug
candidate are provided. The processes are performed using several apparatuses that
are specifically configured to carry-out various steps in a high-throughput characterization
process. One such apparatus is configured for synthesizing a plurality of library
members based on, for example, a library model generated by a computer system.
Another apparatus may filter the synthesized solution to provide a substantially
pure mixture that can be subjected to salt or polymorph testing. Yet another apparatus
may be used to crystallize mixtures on a substrate such that the crystallized mixture
can be screened by one or more screening devices.