Why Use Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry In Drug Discovery And Development

Why Use Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
In Drug Discovery And Development?

The liquid chromatography mass spectrometry is an analytical
method of chromatography widely used in drug discovery and
development. During the LC-MS method, the solvent is treated
in a high-pressure environment, which allows the unpacking of
microscopic particles in the column material. This increases the
space available for molecules and stationary phase interactions.
Hence, this allows the LC-MS method to show better separation
than other techniques such as HPLC.

In this article, we will discuss the requirement of liquid
chromatography mass spectrometry in drug discovery and
development.
Understanding Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a procedure that analytically quantitates
the molecular mass of the given sample product. The technique
utilizes the mass-to-charge ratios corresponding to ions as the
basis for calculating the molecular mass. These ions are formed
from the gain or loss of the charge acquired from the neutral
species. The ions formed are directed towards the mass
analyzer, which helps in the separation of molecules according
to mass-to-charge ratio. The LC-MS method combines the power
of liquid chromatography where the experiment is conducted at
atmospheric pressure. This application imparts higher
sensitivity and specificity to the method.
Why Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry?

Previously, the analysis in drug development was majorly based
on perception. With the LC-MS method, the scope of analysis
has increased. However, apart from perception and timing
problems, there are various other issues in the analysis that
have increased the acceptance of the LC-MS method.
The LC-MS method has become significant in the
pharmaceutical industry due to four elements:

Separation Sciences
The chromatographic methods in mass spectrometry provide a
medium for comparing, developing, refining, and controlling
crucial aspects of drug discovery and development.

Mass Spectrometry
The mass spectrometry allows enhanced sensitivity, selectivity,
reliability, reproducibility, ruggedness, and throughput during
the analysis.
Information
From an analysis perspective of the drug compound, the LC-MS
method is highly capable of exhibiting high performance under
various conditions. Further, the method often has a quick
turnaround time during sample storage, interpretation, and
tracking. Using these aspects, the method produces key
analysis, provides analytical results, and allows distribution of
these results for informational purpose.
Better Scope of Analysis
LC-MS method is utilized at various drug development stages
for providing high performing samples, analysis, separations,
and relevant information.

Applications Of LC-MS Method in Drug Discovery and
Development

The liquid chromatography mass spectrometry has its
application in drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages.

In the drug discovery phase, the LC-MS method helps with
protein identification, metabolite stability testing, and natural
protein identification of the drug candidates.

During nonclinical studies, the LC-MS method identifies the
degradants, impurities, etc. errors in the sample along with
identifying the metabolite.

In clinical studies, structural identification and quantitative
bioanalysis are achieved with the help of the LC-MS method.