DMPK Insights #8: It’s “All-go” with Oligos: Challenges and Opportunities in LC-MS of Therapeutic

In this podcast, Robert MacNeill, Professor Michael Bartlett of the University of Georgia and Dr. Guilherme Guimaraes of Biogen, will focus on oligonucleotide LC-MS covering the exciting key challenges, the pivotal nature of sensitivity in such assays, and the various analytical approaches and technologies that have been used, currently in use or being developed.

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The episode explores the following:

• How recent liquid chromatographic and mass spectral innovations have impacted the bioanalysis of these drug modalities
• Where innovation is taking us particularly in terms of the increasing profile of high-resolution mass spectrometry and the push toward chromatographic miniaturization

Speakers:

Michael G. Bartlett, Ph.D., FAAPS – University Professor, Associate Dean for Science Education, Research and Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia  – Professor, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College
Over the past 29 years at the University of Georgia, Dr. Bartlett’s group has been involved in the development, validation and implementation of novel bioanalytical methodologies to advance biomedical research.  His laboratory works broadly in the areas of drug discovery, development and toxicology resulting in over 190 peer-reviewed publications in a wide variety of areas.  His research has been supported by the NIH, EPA, DOD, ACS and industry. One area where Dr. Bartlett’s lab has gained particular notoriety is in the use of LC-MS to analyze oligonucleotides. This work began during his time at the University of Utah but has accelerated over the past 15 years. Dr. Bartlett’s group has studied many aspects involved in the use of LC-MS to evaluate therapeutic oligonucleotides for quality control, bioanalysis, pharmacokinetics and metabolism. They have also adapted many of these approaches to analyze microRNAs as potential disease biomarkers.  Finally, they have actively worked with many companies on the use of LC-MS to determine oligonucleotides including Pfizer, Ionis, ProQR, Newomics and Waters.   

Guilherme Guimaraes – Scientist DMPK at Biogen
Dr. Guilherme (Gui) Guimaraes is a scientist in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics at Biogen. He is responsible for bioanalytical analysis of small molecules and antisense oligonucleotides.  Gui holds a Ph.D in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences and a masters in international biomedical regulatory sciences from the University of Georgia. His graduate work was focused on the application of novel analytical strategies to improve the chromatographic performance and sensitivity of oligonucleotide LC-MS methods. Some of these strategies include the use of low adsorption surfaces and HILIC microflow LC – nanoelectrospray MS.  

Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!