Cytovance Biologics, a biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has added Mass Spectrometry (Mass Spec) to its Analytical Development suite of services. Cytovance has offered Mass Spec as an outsourced service for several years, but now as an in-house solution, the Analytical Team will be able to offer improved turnaround with more complete, reliable answers that better enable smarter decisions along the development path for biological therapeutic manufacturing.
 
“We are delighted to add Mass Spectrometry to our in-house analytical capabilities as we continue to provide the highest quality technical support for our clients’ drug development programs,” said David Schmidt, director of analytical development, Cytovance. “This is a very exciting time for Cytovance as our company continues to support the diverse scientific and technical needs of today’s biotech companies.”
 
Cytovance invested in the Q Exactive HF-X Orbitrap by Thermo Scientific with a Vanquish UHPLC that is configured for a range of applications including intact mass measurements, native protein analysis, peptide and post translational modification analysis, glycan analysis and more—all within one platform. The Orbitrap with HRAM (high resolution accurate mass) provides increased confidence in the complete characterization of biologics with reliable and precise results. Bringing these expansive capabilities in-house offers several advantages for Cytovance, such as greater control over what gets analyzed, improvement in turnaround time of answers and results to clients, and allows for the technique to be applied to a wide range of client projects.
 
Christa Feasley, senior analytical development scientist, Cytovance, said, “Mass Spec analysis frequently provides clear and precise answers for critical decisions that are made in the development of new drug substances. Questions such as: Am I confident that we are making the right product? Are there any modifications that will concern efficacy or product stability?  How clean is my final product? With the Orbitrap we can fully answer these essential questions for our clients and better support the development of their programs.”
 
Dr. Feasley leads the Mass Spectrometry program for Cytovance relying on her extensive Mass Spec experience including specific biopharma applications for intact protein analysis, peptide mapping, post translation modification (PTM) characterization, and glycan analysis—all part of the new in-house services now available to Cytovance clients.