SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, announced the launch of the new Fast Glycan Labeling and Analysis Kit for quantitative glycan analysis in biopharmaceutical characterisation. Research Analysts challenged by time-consuming sample preparation and data analysis can now accelerate their workflow through rapid glycan release and labelling, followed by fast separation and quantitation, with immediate glycan identification via the SCIEX PA 800 Plus Pharmaceutical Analysis System.

Averaging 1 hour for sample preparation, of up to 96 separations, the Fast Glycan kit can analyse glycans up to 5x faster than traditional HILIC methods. This enables researchers to quickly detect changes in glycosylation, helping them profile glycans that may affect changes in function, efficacy and clearance of their biologics. Automated glycan identification eliminates the need for manual, tedious glycan database searches, thus removing the potential for human error from the process. SCIEX’s solution enables researchers in analytical method development and QC labs to efficiently identify and quantify glycans associated with biologics, helping to ensure therapeutic efficacy.

Proper glycosylation is critical for the efficacy, immunogenicity, and clearance of biologics as incorrect glycan species associated with a biologic, such as a monoclonal antibody (mAb), can lead to an increase and/or decrease in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). A lack of high-resolution glycan information – for example, the separation of fucosylated and non-fucosylated structures – can put patients and the researcher's organisation at risk.

Using a custom internal standard, glucose unit (GU) calculations can be performed on aligned data directly in the SCIEX PA 800 Plus software. An integrated GU Reference table can be used ‘as is’ or customised by adding glycan species. The SCIEX Fast Glycan method sample preparation can be automated using any Beckman Coulter Biomek liquid handler, further increasing your laboratory’s throughput and efficiency.

“Profiling glycans has traditionally required patience where researcher analysts would need to set aside a full day to perform sample prep,” said Mark Lies, Sr. Product Manager at SCIEX.  “Only SCIEX’s solution has an automated glycan ID feature, enabling researchers to prepare, quantitate and identify samples in minutes, not days. For scientists, this ensures that the lab workflow will be more efficient.”

SCIEX’s Fast Glycan Labeling and Analysis Kit was recently awarded the BioProcess International (BPI) “Award for Best Technology Application – Analytical” for demonstrating increased functionality in novel combinations with other analytical technologies.

SCIEX helps to improve the world we live in by enabling scientists and laboratory analysts to find answers to the complex analytical challenges they face. The company's global leadership and world-class service and support in the capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry industry have made it a trusted partner to thousands of the scientists and lab analysts worldwide who are focused on basic research, drug discovery and development, food and environmental testing, forensics and clinical research.