US-biotechnology company Labcyte has partnered with AstraZeneca to develop acoustic sample handling for mass spectrometry to advance drug discovery applications.
Biotechnology tools firm Labcyte has recently developed techniques for the direct loading of samples into mass spectrometers.
Under the collaboration, AstraZeneca will support Labcyte's development effort to expand mass spectrometry-based analysis throughout the entire drug discovery and development process.
Labcyte said mass spectrometry is used to quantify the amount of drug substance in screening assays, drug metabolism studies, and safety and efficacy experiments.
The Labcyte Echo acoustic liquid handling system uses sound waves to dispense a variety of liquids in nanoliter increments.
Labcyte president and CEO Mark Fischer-Colbrie said customers, including AstraZeneca, are using the company's acoustic liquid handling systems to discover new therapeutics, generate better diagnostic results or achieve personalized medical treatments.
"This work with AstraZeneca has the possibility to achieve dramatic improvements in measuring samples and experimental results," Fischer-Colbrie added.
The purpose of the collaboration is to overcome the current limitations in the drug discovery process and achieve reductions in sampling volumes.
AstraZeneca VP of discovery sciences Mike Snowden said the project forms part of the company's efforts to access world-leading innovation to improve the success of drug discovery.
"Combining acoustic delivery with mass spectrometry has the potential to open up new areas of science through transformational improvements in sampling rates and reductions in sampling volumes," Snowden added.