Intact mAb LC-MS for drug concentration from pre-clinical studies: bioanalytical method performance and in-life samples.

Background: Antibody biotherapeutic measurement from pharmacokinetic studies has not been traditionally based on intact molecular mass as is the case for small molecules. However, recent advancements in protein capture and mass spectrometer technology have enabled intact mass detection and quantitation for dosed biotherapeutics. A bioanalytical method validation is part of the regulatory requirement for sample analysis to determine drug concentration from in-life study samples. Results/methodology: Here, an intact protein LC-MS assay is subjected to mock bioanalytical method validation, and unknown samples are compared between intact protein LC-MS and established bioanalytical assay formats: Ligand-binding assay and peptide LC-MS/MS. Discussion/conclusion: Results are presented from the intact and traditional bioanalytical method evaluations, where the in-life sample concentrations were comparable across method types with associated data analyses presented. Furthermore, for intact protein LC-MS, modification monitoring and evaluation of data processing parameters is demonstrated.

Metabolic Profiling of Hoodia, Chamomile, Terminalia Species and Evaluation of Commercial Preparations Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QToF-MS) profiling was used for the identification of marker compounds and generation of metabolic patterns that could be interrogated using chemometric modeling software. UHPLC-QToF-MS was used to generate comprehensive fingerprints of three botanicals (Hoodia, Terminalia, and chamomile), each having different classes of compounds. Detection of a broad range of ions was carried out in full scan mode in both positive and negative modes over the range m/z 100-1700 using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to extract relevant chemical information from the data to easily differentiate between Terminalia species, chamomile varieties, and quality control of Hoodia products. Using nontargeted analysis, identification of 37 compounds contributed to the differences between Terminalia species, 26 flavonoids were identified to show the differences between German and Roman chamomile, and 43 pregnane glycosides were identified from Hoodia gordonii samples. The UHPLC-QToF-MS-based chemical fingerprinting with principal component analysis was able to correctly distinguish botanicals and their commercial products. This work can be used as a basis to assure the quality of botanicals and commercial products.

Naphthalene/quinoline amides and sulfonylureas as potent and selective antagonists of the EP4 receptor.

Two new series of EP(4) antagonists based on naphthalene/quinoline scaffolds have been identified as part of our on-going efforts to develop treatments for inflammatory pain. One series contains an acidic sulfonylurea pharmacophore, whereas the other is a neutral amide. Both series show subnanomolar intrinsic binding potency towards the EP(4) receptor, and excellent selectivity towards other prostanoid receptors. While the amide series generally displays poor pharmacokinetic parameters, the sulfonylureas exhibit greatly improved profile. MF-592, the optimal compound from the sulfonylurea series, has a desirable overall preclinical profile that suggests it is suitable for further development.

A novel series of potent and selective EP(4) receptor ligands: facile modulation of agonism and antagonism.

A novel series of EP(4) ligands, based on a benzyl indoline scaffold, has been discovered. It was found that agonism and antagonism in this series can be easily modulated by minor modifications on the benzyl group. The pharmacokinetic, metabolic and pharmacological profiles of these compounds was explored. It was found that these compounds show good pharmacokinetics in rat and are efficacious in pre-clinical models of pain and inflammation.

MSE with mass defect filtering for in vitro and in vivo metabolite identification.

Metabolite identification studies involve the detection and structural characterization of the biotransformation products of drug candidates. These experiments are necessary throughout the drug discovery and development process. The use of high-resolution chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry together with data processing using mass defect filtering is described for in vitro and in vivo metabolite identification studies. Data collection was done using UPLC coupled with an orthogonal hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This experimental approach enabled the use of MS(E) data collection (where E represents collision energy) which has previously been shown to be a powerful approach for metabolite identification studies. Post-acquisition processing with a prototype mass defect filtering program was used to eliminate endogenous interferences in the study samples, greatly enhancing the discovery of metabolites. The ease of this approach is illustrated by results showing the detection and structural characterization of metabolites in plasma from a preclinical rat pharmacokinetic study.