Obiter Research
Redefining Process Chemistry

Chemist, engineer, machinist—these aren’t just titles for Dr. William Boulanger; they’re roles he embodies simultaneously. A polymath, his lifetime pursuit to push the boundaries of scientific discovery culminated in the establishment of Obiter Research, a research and manufacturing company specializing in process chemistry.

Obiter began as a small contract research lab at the University of Illinois but quickly grew into a 20,000-squarefoot facility that also serves as a contract manufacturer. Dr. Boulanger’s chemical acumen and mechanical ingenuity allowed his company to carve out a reputation in kilo-scale chemistry—a space often perceived as too technically demanding for most competitors.

When older manufacturing plants shut down, and vital chemicals disappear from the market, industries that rely on these chemicals find themselves at a loss. This is where Obiter steps in, rediscovering and reproducing legacy compounds with the precision of modern technology—whether it’s tracking down a forgotten 1893 German patent or reverse-engineering a critical diagnostic chemical.

“Our specialization in process development and kiloscale manufacturing is a result of marrying engineering with chemistry,” says Dr. Boulanger, CEO.

Kilo-scale production demands a delicate balance of scale and precision. While most companies operate on either a small, research-driven scale or as industrial behemoths, Obiter operates at the intersection. This enables Obiter to work closely with diverse clients, from Fortune 500 companies to nimble biotech startups, and offer solutions that perfectly address their distinct challenges.

Every client relationship is centered on a shared goal— delivering excellence through collaboration. For startups run by biologists, it serves as an entry point into the world of chemical manufacturing. It produces chemical intermediates essential for biological testing, playing a pivotal role in the early stages of drug development. In contrast, larger companies rely on the company’s expertise to handle high-stakes chemical processes like manufacturing monomers for heart valves or developing specialty dyes for cancer detection during surgery.

All its equipment is custom-designed in-house by Dr. Boulanger, who tailors reactors, temperature controllers, andmore to each project’s needs. His craftsmanship extends to every step and empowers Obiter to approach even the most technically challenging chemical processes with agility and precision.

These competencies are built on the foundation offered by Obiter’s comprehensive fabrication capabilities. In 2023, Dr. Boulanger installed two two-story falling film stills to enhance the company’s distillation capacity, making it a go-to partner for clients with specialized distillation requirements. Another recent deployment is a custom-built, large-scale reactor that was developed on the fly in response to a client’s niche project needs. This agile expansion of Obiter’s equipment line exemplifies Dr. Boulanger’s expertise in process chemistry. He treats every project with the same care and precision that have been the defining characteristics of Obiter since its inception.

In an industry increasingly dominated by low-cost overseas manufacturers, Obiter stands out by delivering value through specialization. It focuses on building one-on-one relationships with clients and creating solutions that cater to niche needs rather than competing in an open market where price often dictates success. This allows Obiter to move away from commoditized chemical production and remain laser-focused on quality and innovation.

Channeling the power of a foundation built on bespoke chemical manufacturing, Obiter is shaping the future of chemistry. It continues to rule the cutting edge of innovation with patents on groundbreaking compounds like muscimol, a competitor to psilocybin, and 18-methoxycoronaridine, a drug with the potential to cure addiction with a single dose. These compounds aren’t mere chemical breakthroughs but emblematic of the company’s unmatched industry know-how.

Obiter places a strong emphasis on educating and training employees in kilo-scale techniques. This dedication is rooted in Dr. Boulanger’s observation of a critical knowledge gap between experienced and new PhD hires, which he addresses in his esteemed role as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois.

From humble beginnings in a university tech park to its current position as a leader in kilo-scale manufacturing, Obiter has stayed true to its original vision—to create real-world impact through chemistry.