Derek Lowe is a well known name in the pharmaceutical and science space, often writing about drug discovery and research chemistry. In his recurring segment "things I won't work with," he evaluates compounds, vendors, and practices he declines to use, explaining why they fail on safety, reliability, or performance grounds.
This structured overview summarizes key dimensions of the "things I won't work with" theme, focusing on evaluation criteria, risk areas, and practical guidance for professionals in drug discovery.
| Aspect | Description | Risk Level | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compound Stability | Degradation under standard storage conditions | High | Run accelerated stability studies and verify raw material specs |
| Vendor Reliability | Inconsistent purity, missing certificates of analysis | Medium | Qualify suppliers with audits and lot-level testing |
| Safety Data Quality | Incomplete toxicology or handling information | HighRequire full safety data sheets and verified analytical results | |
| Protocol Robustness | Reproducibility issues in screening or synthesis | Medium | Pilot small batches and document step by step |
Evaluating Chemical Vendors And Suppliers
Lowe often highlights chemical vendors whose catalogs promise much but deliver inconsistently. Problems include variable purity, missing analytical data, and delayed shipments that stall projects. Before placing orders, teams should assess vendors through audits, sample requests, and clear contractual quality requirements.
Key Vendor Qualification Steps
- Request certificates of analysis for every lot
- Conduct on site or virtual audits of key suppliers
- Run small scale qualification batches
- Define acceptance criteria and remediation plans
Compound Stability And Storage Risks
Another core theme in "things I won't work with" is the misuse of compounds that lack validated stability profiles. Storing reagents at the wrong temperature or under inappropriate atmospheric conditions can silently degrade structure and potency. Teams should track integrity using stability indicating assays and clearly labeled storage conditions.
Safety Data And Regulatory Compliance
Inadequate safety information is a deal breaker for Lowe, especially when handling hazardous or poorly characterized intermediates. Missing regulatory details, ambiguous hazard statements, or incomplete handling instructions increase workplace risk and compliance exposure. Robust safety data sheets and internal standard operating procedures are non negotiable.
Protocol Design And Reproducibility Issues
Lowe is cautious about protocols that look elegant on paper but fail in daily use. Protocols with vague reagent grades, ambiguous workup steps, or undefined equipment lead to irreproducible results and wasted time. Thorough method development, small scale trials, and detailed documentation prevent these problems.
Applying These Lessons To Modern Drug Discovery
For teams working on complex therapeutic programs, treating "things I won't work with" as a checklist sharpens decision making. Defining clear thresholds for vendors, compounds, and protocols keeps projects on schedule, reduces surprises, and supports high quality science.
- Set explicit acceptance criteria for every vendor and reagent lot
- Run stability and reproducibility tests before full campaign starts
- Document safety data, handling steps, and deviations thoroughly
- Use structured reviews to remove unreliable practices early
FAQ
Reader questions
Why does Derek Lowe refuse to work with certain vendors?
He declines vendors that cannot provide consistent purity, reliable delivery, and complete analytical data, because these gaps introduce project risk and hidden rework.
What types of safety data issues does he commonly reject?
He avoids compounds with incomplete safety data sheets, unclear hazard classifications, or missing information on safe handling, storage, and disposal.
How does he handle compounds with questionable stability?
Lowe typically will not proceed without stability studies, validated storage conditions, and periodic retesting to ensure potency and safety over time.
What role does protocol robustness play in his decisions?
He avoids protocols with undefined steps, unverified reagents, and poor reproducibility, preferring methods that are well documented and pilot tested.