Microsaic launches new protein identification technology

Mass spectrometry instrument developer Microsaic Systems announced the introduction of its new protein identification technology on Friday - the ‘Microsaic MiD ProteinID’.

The AIM-traded firm described the MiD ProteinID as a “breakthrough” mass identification technique, which allowed users to verify target proteins throughout the whole bioprocessing value chain.

It explained that, by providing deterministic characterisation for proteins and small molecules at the point of need, the product offered fast results over a mass range of 50-3,200 m/z, which it claimed was the broadest mass coverage for a small footprint mass spectrometer.

The board said the Microsaic MiD ProteinID would be “transformational” for process analytics, as its abilities as a point-of-need technology were derived from simplicity, as well as low maintenance which would allow for minimal down-time and greater confidence in results.

Biologic drugs represented eight out of 10 top selling drugs in 2016, Microsaic noted, with expected revenues in 2019 of around $445bn.

Revenues were around $15bn from the top eight suppliers of manufacturing equipment into that industry.

Biologic manufacture demanded real-time analysis throughout the entire process, the company said, with the Microsaic MiD ProteinID providing real-time analysis from the raw incoming goods, to upstream 'in-cell' drug production, and subsequent downstream product purification.

“Bringing the power of the centralised laboratory to in-situ bioprocessing line measurements, the Microsaic MiD® ProteinID reduces key bioprocessing analyses from days to minutes,” said Microsaic chief executive officer Glenn Tracey.

“This means that operators can monitor feedstocks, metabolites and target proteins in just one measurement, thus accelerating time-to-market for new biologics development.

“Mass spectrometry can now offer superlative performance to high value manufacturing industries at the point-of-need, providing much greater insights over ubiquitous optical sensors.”