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Updated: Sep 16, 2026

High Pressure Single Crystal Diffraction at PX^2
Published on: January 16, 2017
Peak Fiction: XRPD and the Illusion of Novelty
Jeremy Rolquin1, Shahin Shams1, Mike Faley2
1Porta Sophia, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States.
Abstract:
This viewpoint addresses the growing use of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data to support patent claims on crystalline forms of pharmaceutical compounds. XRPD patterns are inherent material properties, not inventions. We demonstrate that different sample preparations and holders impact the XRPD peaks returned for the same commercially available sample. Thus, treating XRPD peaks as stand-alone proof of novelty weakens patentability standards across the field of medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical intellectual property.
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