Vinorelbine ditartrate salt stands out as a semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid, prepared specifically for use in pharmaceutical research and development settings. This compound, with the molecular formula C45H54N4O8·C4H6O6 and a molecular weight of about 1079.15 g/mol, takes its origins from natural vinca alkaloids derived from the Catharanthus roseus plant but modified to improve its clinical applications. Researchers handling this substance often require a clear understanding of its physical form, chemical properties, and safe handling requirements to avoid health risks and maximize the potential for discovery.
Vinorelbine ditartrate presents as a white to off-white powder, occasionally appearing as fine crystalline flakes or pearls depending on the specific batch synthesis and drying protocols used. Its solid state makes it easier to measure, transport, and store under normal laboratory conditions, but it can be dissolved in water, ethanol, or other organic solvents for biological studies. At room temperature, the compound maintains its integrity, and the density averages around 1.32 g/cm3. Since it arrives in solid or crystalline form, this product delivers higher purity compared to liquids or solutions, making analytical measurements and compounding more straightforward.
Each shipment includes documentation to trace its origin, purity, appearance, and batch analysis results. The harmonized system (HS) code for Vinorelbine ditartrate fits under the broader class of alkaloid drugs: HS Code 2939790090, utilized by customs agencies to track movement across international borders. Trusted suppliers issue a Certificate of Analysis with every lot, detailing key specifications like purity (often ≥98% by HPLC), melting point, loss on drying, and residual solvent levels. Direct sample verification reduces the chance of fraud or contamination.
Like many complex alkaloids used in pharmacology, vinorelbine ditartrate requires careful handling. The powder form, though stable at ambient temperatures, can generate fine dust; laboratory staff use gloves, lab coats, and safety glasses to prevent skin contact, inhalation, or eye exposure. As a cytotoxic agent, the substance has well-documented effects on rapidly dividing cells and is considered hazardous or harmful if misused. Facilities involved in weighing or transferring the material keep well-ventilated hoods running and have spill kits on hand to clean up accidental releases without increasing risk. Safe disposal procedures prevent this raw material from entering general waste streams or the environment.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and research teams gravitate toward vinorelbine ditartrate salt for its role in oncology drug development. The salt form offers improved solubility in aqueous systems compared to its base, making it suitable for injectable solution formulation, preclinical toxicology testing, and scale-up of bulk drug substance. Solid, flakes, pearls, or powdered forms are routinely compounded in sterile lines or transferred into solution for detailed analytical or biological testing. Every active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) batch must pass inspection for identity, potency, and purity before entering downstream drug product development. Reliable access to high-quality raw materials like this supports faster project timelines and enhances patient safety by reducing impurities.
With harmful or cytotoxic compounds in general, strong workplace controls and effective risk communication build confidence among staff and regulators. Training specific to vinorelbine ditartrate’s properties—covering routes of exposure, required PPE, storage, handling, and cleaning procedures—protects handlers during preparation for experiments or clinical trial manufacture. Emergency procedures go beyond generic chemical protocols, focusing on the unique cell toxicity of this molecule, with immediate decontamination and access to medical support written into standard operating procedures. Sourcing from suppliers who maintain strict quality and regulatory compliance, with validated analytical methods and full traceability, helps reduce the possibility of contamination, mix-ups, or deviation from specification.
Vinorelbine ditartrate salt, with its clear set of product characteristics—physical state, molecular structure, density, specifications, and HS code—offers an indispensable resource in pharmaceutical science, especially for cancer therapy development. The physical qualities as flakes, powder, or crystals give operational flexibility, but the hazards tied to its biological activity require diligent management. Safe handling transforms a potent raw material into a tool for innovation rather than a source of occupational risk. Lab experience shows up in every step, from sourcing and storage to disposal, and each improvement in practice helps researchers do better, safer work as the compound moves from bench to bedside.
Providing high-quality chemical products and logistics solutions for global trade partners.
