Innovation in mass spectrometry does not happen in isolation. Some of the most impactful scientific advances emerge from highly specialized research communities – proteomics experts developing new peptide identification workflows, metabolomics researchers curating spectral databases, toxicologists building compound libraries, and biopharma scientists creating novel characterization methods.
Unlike traditional monoclonal antibodies, ADCs combine an antibody backbone with linker chemistry and a cytotoxic payload. This multi-component architecture introduces overlapping layers of heterogeneity, including drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) distributions, charge variants, post-translational modifications, and structural changes at both the intact and subunit levels. Across ADC development, these characteristics are considered critical quality attributes that must be characterized, understood, and monitored.
For years, metabolomics researchers have faced a frustrating reality: modern high-resolution mass spectrometers can detect tens of thousands of molecular features, yet only a fraction can be confidently identified. The challenge is no longer finding molecules. It is generating the high-quality MS/MS data needed to confidently assign structures and extract meaningful biological insights.
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as one of the fastest-growing classes of biotherapeutics, combining the targeting specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic payloads. However, this unique architecture also introduces significant analytical complexity. From drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) distributions and charge variants to conjugation sites and structural modifications, ADCs present multiple, interconnected sources of heterogeneity that must be understood to ensure product quality and performance.
In a recent webinar, Ming Gao, Ph.D., Senior Research Chemist at Mérieux NutriSciences, explored the growing challenge of cereulide contamination in food products and the analytical strategies needed to detect this heat-stable toxin at trace levels. The session examined how LC-MS/MS can help laboratories overcome the limitations of traditional microbiological screening and meet emerging regulatory requirements.
In this interview, Andy Wilcox, Senior Market Development Manager, Aftermarket and Software, speaks with Susanna Baqué, Senior Director of Global Customer Experience, about how SCIEX Now gives customers one connected digital workspace to manage instruments, reduce time spent searching for information, resolve issues faster and keep their laboratory running more efficiently and with greater confidence.
As therapeutic pipelines continue to diversify, bioanalysis is being asked to do more than ever before. From small molecules to complex biologics, today’s scientists must generate high‑quality, reliable data across a growing range of molecule types and workflows, often under increasing time pressure.
Regulated laboratories are evolving faster than ever. New analytical modalities, higher sample throughput, increasing regulatory scrutiny, and leaner teams are reshaping how work gets done. At the same time, expectations for data integrity, standardization, and operational efficiency continue to increase complexity and/or scope. In this environment, LC-MS software is no longer simply an instrument control platform—it has become a critical part of a laboratory’s quality management system. The question is no longer whether your lab has changed, but whether your software has evolved to support the way regulated labs operate today, and if they are ready and able to meet the demands, they will face tomorrow.
Analyst software has long been a trusted foundation in regulated LC-MS laboratories—and for many, it still performs reliably today. But regulated environments are evolving faster than ever. As labs transition to Windows 11, strengthen cybersecurity policies, modernize IT infrastructure, and prepare for future compliance expectations, software decisions are no longer just about what works today—they’re about managing tomorrow’s risk. Analyst will not be supported on Windows 11. While some labs may continue operating in unsupported environments temporarily, the bigger question is: when that risk becomes reality, will your lab be reacting under pressure—or executing a planned mitigation strategy with confidence?
As regulatory scrutiny increases and detection requirements tighten, laboratories are facing a new question:
How can TFA be measured reliably, sensitively, and at scale?