FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT
Powered by AI + Robotics.
Persist combines AI-driven automation with an integrated robotic lab to accelerate formulation toward your QTPP. We can also coordinate with external partners for downstream studies and regulatory support.
Already have designs in mind?
Run experiments from home with our Cloud Lab→OUR PROCESS
Built for high-throughput and efficiency.
Design with our AI suite
Our AI selects the top 12 formulations to match your QTPP. It takes into account API properties, IID Limits, excipient compatibility, excipient bioactivity, nitrosamine management, and more.
Preformulation
We run a comprehensive suite of solid phase characterization and phys-chem tests.
Robotics build and test AI-designed formulations
Our robotic systems then build and test candidates overnight, turning idle lab time into continuous progress.
Feed results back to the platform
As new experimental data is generated, the AI learns from each outcome. It uses these insights to design the next set of formulations with greater precision.
Repeat until QTPP is met
Each cycle brings the formulation closer to the defined QTPP. Once the target is reached, we move the top candidates forward into animal studies.
THE PROBLEM
Why traditional formulation falls short.
Formulation is hard. With limited trial-and-error and specialized knowledge requirements, every experiment is slow, deliberate, and designed to minimize risk. Much of the critical knowledge remains held by individuals, making it difficult to transfer and scale efficiently.
Slow iteration cycles
Traditional CRO workflows are sequential, slowing optimization and delaying decisions.
Limited exploration
Teams often evaluate only a narrow set of conditions before making key decisions.
High cost of early mistakes
Weak formulation strategy leads to rework, delays, and lower downstream confidence.
THE SOLUTION
AI-guided formulation. Robotic execution.
Our platform provides a formulation knowledge base that enables teams to learn from every observation they make. Our robotic lab augments this knowledge base with real experiments done in our lab.
AI decision support
Our AI suite helps our formulators learn from legacy data.
Robotic data generation
We augment our experiments with formulation data that comes from our automation.
Self-optimizing lab
Data is constantly fed back into the platform, optimizing itself with each iteration.
DIRECT COMPARISON
Persist AI vs. Traditional CROs.
Swipe to view full table →
| Criterion | Persist AI | Traditional CROs |
|---|---|---|
| Preclinical formulation scope | Integrated preformulation → formulation strategy → optimization in a single, iterative system | Sequential workflows across preformulation, excipient screening, and formulation development |
| Experimental throughput | In-silico screening across solubility, stability, and excipient combinations | Limited by manual lab capacity and batch-based experimentation |
| Formulation decision-making | AI-guided experiment design using prior data, physicochemical properties, and formulation constraints | Trial-and-error iteration with limited data coverage |
| Bioavailability & PK optimization | Designed early for bioavailability, release profile, and PK alignment with target product profile (QTPP) | Often addressed late after initial formulations underperform in vivo |
| Speed to viable formulation | Weeks to reach a PK-ready or in vivo–testable formulation | Months of iterative cycles to reach PK-enabling formulation |
| Cost to reach PK-ready formulation | Significantly reduced cost through experimentation and optimization | Typically $100K–$500K+ across iterative CRO studies |
CAPABILITIES
Modalities & formulations.
Cross-compatibility between drug modalities and the formulation technologies our platform currently supports.
| Modality | Microspheres | In Situ Depots | Amorphous Solid Dispersions | IV Parenterals | SEDDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Molecules | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Peptides | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Antibodies & Proteins | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Antisense Oligonucleotides | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
ANALYTICAL TOOLS
Instruments under one roof.
Our capabilities are continuously expanding as we integrate new analytical tools and automation workflows. If you don't see a specific method or formulation type listed, reach out — we may already support it or can rapidly develop it.
| Analytical Tool | Measurements | Formulation Type | Robotic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightfield | Particle size, polydispersity | Solids, semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Scanning Electron Microscopy | Particle size, polydispersity, and morphology | Solids | No |
| Dynamic Light Scattering | Nanoparticle size, polydispersity | Solids, semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Transmission Electron Microscopy | Particle size, polydispersity, and morphology | Solids, semisolids | No |
| High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) | Drug content and concentration, impurities, stability, size, refraction, fluorescence, absorbance | Solids, semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Spectrophotometry | Drug content and concentration, fluorescence, absorbance | Solids, semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Raman Spectrometry | Drug content and concentration, impurities, stability, solvent concentration | Liquids | Yes |
| Dissolution Apparatus | Drug solubility, dissolution | Solids, semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Moisture analyzer | Moisture content | Solids | On the roadmap |
| Viscometer | Viscosity | Semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Dynamic Foam Analyzer | Foam size, content, stability | Semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Turbidimeter | Turbidity | Semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| X-Ray MicroCT | Particle morphology, internal porosity | Solids, semisolids | No |
| Single-angle light scattering | Particle aggregation, quantitation, sizing | Solids, semisolids, liquids | Yes |
| Polarized Light Microscopy | Crystallinity measurements | Solids, semisolids | Yes |
We support preclinical and clinical formulation development including:
- Preformulation
- PK-enabling formulation development
- Early stability and compatibility testing
- GMP testing
- Phase 1 oral liquid formulations
- Drug product strategy for IND planning
We do not support clinical trials or late-stage development.
Persist AI is a preclinical formulation CRO, not a CDMO.
We do:
- Early formulation development
- Drug product strategy
- Screening and optimization
We do not do:
- Large scale manufacturing
- Commercial scale-up
No. We do not perform drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, toxicology, or clinical trials. We focus strictly on formulation and drug product strategy after a candidate is identified.
We support:
- Solubility and bioavailability optimization
- Excipient compatibility screening
- Delivery route selection (oral, IV, SC, IP)
- Stability and early drug product strategy
- Controlled and modified release design
We work with a wide range of systems, including:
- Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs)
- SEDDS / lipid-based systems
- Microspheres and in-situ depots
- IV and parenteral formulations
We work across:
- Small molecules
- Antibodies and biologics
- Peptides and protein therapeutics
- Nucleic acid therapies
GET IN TOUCH