Shimadzu Releases LabSolutions Insight Biologics, Software for Oligonucleotide Characterization
Developed in Collaboration with PeptiStar Inc., New Software Supports the Development of Nucleic Acid Pharmaceuticals
Shimadzu Corporation announces the release of LabSolutions Insight Biologics, software for oligonucleotide characterization for use with the LCMS-9030 and LCMS-9050 high-performance liquid chromatograph quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometers. Insight Biologics automates the oligonucleotide characterization workflow and significantly improves efficiency. The software enables confirmation of products and identification of unknowns, and uses DDA-MS/MS to provide base-by-base sequence information, site specific modifications, and sequence mapping to assist in the important field of nucleic acid pharmaceuticals.
LabSolutions Insight Biologics was developed based on the results of collaborative research with PeptiStar Inc., a pharmaceuticals contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for peptide pharmaceuticals*1 and nucleic acid pharmaceutical ingredients. In evaluating the characterization process, samples were used that mimicked the nucleic acid pharmaceuticals provided by PeptiStar, enabling precise characterization. This software was developed in accordance with the workflow needed, from research and development to the process of pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing and impurity confirmations, making it a comprehensive yet user-friendly platform.
Features
Fast, Efficient Oligonucleotide Characterization
Impurity identification during the process of synthesizing oligonucleotides can take a great deal of time and effort. Shimadzu has developed a simple and rapid characterization workflow based on the results of collaborative research with PeptiStar. A comprehensive search for the principal components and their related impurities is performed automatically from their MS and MS/MS spectra*2, reducing the time needed for characterization by 90% over conventional workflows.
Easy Workflow for Technicians
Proprietary software functions offer a superior user experience for any operator. In this type of research, the nucleotide sequence for the principal components must be entered before the oligonucleotide sequence measurements, which is a complicated and error-prone step. With a function that depicts the nucleotide sequence information as a structural formula in real time, the principal components entered can be checked visually. In addition, the software is equipped with a function for switching the display between full mode, for checking the accuracy of the base sequence*3, and branch mode, for checking the positions where impurities tend to be produced, enabling a more accurate evaluation of the estimated sequence.
Estimating the Base Sequences Required to Identify Impurities
When identifying oligonucleotide acid analogs, checking for impurities with similar molecular weights and for base sequences*³ is a difficult and complicated task. This software uses a proprietary fragment spectrum method (patent pending) to estimate base sequences with high accuracy from many candidates. Efficiently consolidating multiple MS/MS spectra simplifies verification of the spectral information and limits the impact of variability in the results for each measurement.
*1 These are pharmaceuticals in which the principal components are peptides consisting of 2 to 50 bonded amino acids. They are characterized by a wide range of action and fewer side effects.
*2 This data is obtained from mass spectrometry results. Mass is plotted on the vertical axis, and the detection intensity is plotted on the horizontal axis. It contains a lot of molecular weight information about principal components and residues.
*3 These are the units for the configuration of oligonucleotides. They consist of four types. The sequence must be checked to identify the impurities.