Waters Launches SmartMS-Enabled LC–MS Biopharma System

On Jan. 22, 2019, Waters introduced the BioAccord System, a new, purposefully designed liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system that is expected to expand access to high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry capabilities to more scientists.

The new system offers the advantage of moving routine monitoring out of centralized MS labs, allowing more scientists to use it. This can be done because the system presents more effective analysis of biotherapeutic protein attributes across development and within quality control organizations.

The BioAccord System pairs Acquity Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) I-Class Plus with the newly developed Acquity RDa Detector featuring SmartMS. This system offers new levels of user experience with automated setup and self-diagnosis delivered through an intuitive user interface within a small footprint. The system is powered by UNIFI, the company’s compliance-ready LC–MS informatics platform, and has been optimized for intact protein, released glycan, and peptide monitoring applications. The use of Waters' application-specific chemistries and consumables kits also streamlines the system.

"The pace of innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry is accelerating, and with it, the monitoring requirements for biotherapeutics are growing exponentially," said Chris O'Connell, chairman and CEO, Waters, in a company press release. "The inherent complexity of these therapies, combined with rising regulatory standards, are driving more intensive and widespread testing requirements. Waters designed the BioAccord System as a fit-for-purpose LC–MS biopharmaceutical solution to deliver rich mass spectrometry data for improved productivity and effective decision-making."

The first public exhibition of the BioAccord System will take place at the Well Characterized Biopharmaceutical Conference (WCBP) in Washington DC on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Waters will sponsor a lunch seminar in the Palm Court Room at the Mayflower Hotel from 12:45–1:45 pm titled High Performance LCMS Analysis in Biopharma: From Molecular Characterization to Routine Monitoring. The seminar will feature Dr. John Gebler, director, Biopharmaceutical, Waters. A guest speaker, Dr. Mellisa M. Ly, principal scientist from Pfizer, will also present the topic, Characterizing and Monitoring Quality Attributes in Monoclonal Antibodies using a High Resolution, Small Footprint LC-MS System at the seminar.

Source: Waters