Principal Scientist Pfizer, Connecticut, United States
Mass spectrometry (MS) is recognized as a key technology in biopharmaceutical research and development. Key features of the technique include compatibility with orthogonal analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC), high selectivity, sensitivity, and label-free detection. Despite widespread incorporation of MS/MS in various disciplines-especially DMPK-there exists significant opportunity for leveraging the technique elsewhere in drug discovery.
Early-stage in vitro pharmacology groups develop plate-based in vitro assays for a given target, measuring compound effect for purposes of hit ID as well as rank-ordering and structure-activity relationship (SAR). These assays routinely generate thousands of samples, and endpoints are typically collected by fluorescence and other indirect measurements, often requiring costly, customized reagents. Moreover, low sensitivity, specificity, narrow dynamic range and liabilities such as assay artifacts can impact screening activities and hinder project progression.
In this talk we will discuss how LC-MS/MS can be applied throughout biopharmaceutical discovery, specifically early-stage in vitro pharmacology. Core benefits of LC-MS/MS will be described, and discussed in context of specific challenges, including assay biochemistry and project team needs presented in several campaigns. Additionally, emerging LC-MS/MS instrumentation and technologies will be explored as enabling platforms that can provide greater insight from high-throughput assays while conserving valuable resource.
