Generally, most active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in oral dosage formulations are developed as crystalline forms rather than amorphous materials, since it is easier to control batch quality, impurity levels and maintain stability. [1][2][3] On the other hand, amorphous APIs typified by lyophilized powders are often preferred to improve solubility in injectable formulations, although the amorphous substance is generally less stable than the crystalline substance.Formulation design based on physicochemical considerations is important for development to maintain the appropriate level of quality and stable supply required for a pharmaceutical. There have been a number of publications describing alterations of physicochemical properties with changes in crystallinity; for example, hygroscopicity, 3-5) crystalline transition, 6) dehydration of crystalline water, 7,8) dissolution rate 9,10) and heat of solution 11,12) studies have all been reported. Although numerous studies regarding stability and stabilization have been reported for cephalosporin antibiotics, which are often physicochemically unstable in the solid state, [13][14][15][16] there are not many reports that discuss the relationship between crystallinity and stability. 7,17,18) acid solvate] is a novel N-phosphono type aqueous prodrug of T-91825 that has strong anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity (Fig. 1). 19,20) Since TAK-599 had not been crystallized in a free form in the early research stage, we attempted to develop the compound as an amorphous solid. However amorphous of TAK-599 free form was unstable even when stored cold, and was difficult to develop as a pharmaceutical agent.After numerous attempts at crystallization, crystalline TAK-599, acetic acid solvate was crystallized from aqueous acetic acid solution, and the key factors for the stability affecting the stability of TAK-599 were identified by a stability study on TAK-599 crystals. It was found that the crystallinity of TAK-599 and moisture content affected stability in the solid state. In this paper, we report that both sufficient crystallinity and rigorous moisture control are crucial to maintain the quality of TAK-599 in the long term. TAK-599 (known as ceftaroline fosamil) is a novel N-phosphono type prodrug of a cephalosporin compound, T-91825, that exhibits strong activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The stability and stabilization of TAK-599 were investigated by kinetic analysis focused on crystallinity and moisture content. Initially it was planned to develop TAK-599 as an injectable formulation using the amorphous solid powder prepared by lyophilization. However, amorphous of TAK-599 free form was found to be chemically unstable even when stored at 8°C, and thus development was focused on the crystalline material. After exhaustive screening of crystallization condition, the monoacetic acid solvate was found to yield TAK-599 in a crystalline form. Physicochemical properties were studied to identify the key factors ...