Singapore: Global technology firm AB SCIEX and Dalton Pharma Services have formed a research collaboration to develop Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) analysis capabilities.

The collaboration would include development of more definitive and comprehensive method for the identification of drug loading and position of conjugation on macromolecules. This collaboration is part of AB SCIEX's commitment to support the growing movement to bring targeted antibody-based therapies to market.

Our collective goal is to help our customers bring drugs from concept to market faster. The collaboration provides AB SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, with the specialized synthetic conjugation capabilities of Dalton. The research includes the preparation and characterization of ADC's by Dalton scientists working with AB SCIEX experts to develop standardized analytical procedures on the TripleTOF 5600+ system with SelexION technology and the new TripleTOF 6600 platform for determining the chemical structures of conjugated molecules.

"A key challenge for developing successful Antibody-Drug Conjugate medicines is understanding the structure and payload of the final molecule. Determining where the drug attaches to a particular antibody early in its development and the number of drug molecules on the antibody are important indicators of the likely success of a new ADC," explained Mr Tan Quach, chemistry manager, Dalton Pharma Services.

"Recent advances in mass spectrometry have provided a solution to answer the challenging questions in terms of understanding ADC drug development and working within a biological matrix," said Mr Chris Radloff, vice president, AB SCIEX. "Utilizing these molecules is difficult and by forming this partnership, ADC developers can now reduce complications, and obtain accurate results that will ultimately lead to safer, more effective therapies."