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fast LCs will reduce analytical TAT |
Technological
advances in analytical instrumentation continue to move
the pharmaceutical laboratory business forward in terms
of ability to offer clients faster, more reliable, and more
sensitive testing techniques. By constantly evaluating and
investing in cutting edge innovations, such as improved
software, new instrument designs and new test methodologies,
Lancaster Laboratories stays at the forefront of the industry.
And though liquid chromatography (LC) is not new to the
pharmaceutical laboratory, several vendors have engineered
new instruments that take advantage of improved column technology
to allow greatly reduced analysis time. The separations
on these systems are accomplished by utilizing columns packed
with stationary phases made with smaller particles. These
novel columns, coupled with higher pressure, result in a
faster analysis while retaining peak resolution, sensitivity
and precision. |
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Tammy
Schumacher performs amino acid analysis by ultra performance
liquid chromatography. |
Known as fast LC or
ultra performance LC, Lancaster Labs is investing in several
of these new instruments for use in amino acid analysis,
peptide mapping and method validation and development. The
initial instruments purchased are equipped with ultraviolet
(UV) detectors, but future plans include the addition of
fast LC with tandem mass spectrometer detection (LC/MS/MS).
After instrument validation, which is expected to be complete
by the end of this year, analysts will begin developing
methods with substantially shorter run times. For example,
peptide mapping currently performed by the Biopharmaceutical
Services Group requires a run time of more than one hour,
but with the new technology, that time could be cut by up
to five fold. The shorter analysis time will result in higher
throughput and faster turnaround time for clients. Initial
validation efforts on the new LC will be aimed at qualifying
the system to perform amino acid analysis.
Dr. Jon S. Kauffman, director of Method Development and
Validation, explains that the fast LC will also allow them
to develop and validate methods more efficiently. “Because
many runs may be required to study critical chromatographic
parameters, such as the gradient, the shorter run times
will allow us to optimize the methods more quickly,”
says Kauffman. He adds that clients will also benefit by
having methods that require less time on the instrument
when the method is placed into production.
For more information, please call Pharmaceutical Business
Development at (717) 656-2300.
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