Product photo: Antibody glycan automatic pre-processing device "MUP-3100".
Shimadzu Corporation will release its antibody glycan automatic pre-processing device "MUP-3100" on July 3. This product automates the time-consuming pre-processing step required for antibody glycan analysis, which is essential for the research and development and quality control of antibody pharmaceuticals. By utilizing a 6-axis robot to streamline and automate the process that previously had been done manually, this product enables continuous operation, reduces human errors, and enhances the safety and ease of the work. The machine is intended for use in pharmaceutical companies, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and it contributes to the speedy research and development of pharmaceuticals by increasing the safety and efficiency of work. This product is a dedicated device for antibody glycan analysis that uses Sumitomo Bakelite's "Auto-EZGlyco mAb-N Kit for SHIMADZU".
The pre-processing step, also known as the "front-end processing," that is essential for instrument analysis such as liquid chromatography (LC) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is complicated because it requires multiple reagents, equipment and utensils, such as a centrifuge and pipette. In addition, tasks such as dividing reagents and adding them require skill and experience. In pharmaceuticals research and development and quality control, the complicated front-end processing has become a burden for researchers and technicians, and the demand for automation is increasing.
Antibody pharmaceuticals are medicines composed of proteins (antibodies) that are produced in cells using gene editing technology. These pharmaceuticals target antigens, such as cancer cells, on the surface of the body and are expected to have a high treatment effect and reduce side effects. However, compounds such as glycan chains (compounds composed of connecting sugars) attached to the surface of antibodies may affect the efficacy, safety, and production management of antibody pharmaceuticals, necessitating the analysis of glycan components by LC and LC-MS. Additionally, the comparison test of glycans with that of existing products is also one of the quality control items for the development of bio-similars and subsequent products. By automating the pre-processing step of antibody glycan analysis, this product reduces the burden on workers and supports the provision of higher analytical accuracy and reproducibility based on correct procedures.
In addition to this product, Shimadzu Corporation provides a wide range of products useful for the development of antibody pharmaceuticals and bio-similars, such as ICP mass spectrometry for analyzing metal elements involved in glycan synthesis and LC-MS software for analyzing sugars used as substrates for glycans. By expanding the sales of these products and technologies in the rapidly growing Asia region, which is the main market for bio-pharmaceuticals, bio-similar industries, and CMOs / CDMOs, and by improving the business efficiency of pharmaceutical companies, CMOs, and CDMOs, we will contribute to the rapid research and development of antibody pharmaceuticals.