Bruker Introduces MALDI PharmaPulse™ 2.0 Solution at SLAS 2017 for 100x Faster Mass Spectrometry-Based, Label-Free Screening in Drug Discovery

The new MALDI PharmaPulse 2.0 solution can measure up to 10 different samples per second, a 100- to 1000-fold increase in speed and throughput for mass spectrometry-based, label-free screening. The MPP 2.0 solution is compatible with the latest 1536 simultaneous liquid spotters, and fully integrated automation solutions for uHTS, e.g. by HighRes Biosolutions (www.highresbio.com), or others.

The MPP 2.0 solution incorporates an Assay Development module and a Screening module. The Assay Development module harnesses the speed of the rapifleX MALDI PharmaPulse in a multi-dimensional approach, performing serial dilutions, mixing different buffer concentrations and other assay components and uses a proprietary algorithm to identify the optimum assay conditions.  The Screening module synchronizes with external lab automation protocols to seamlessly integrate with the symphony of robotics required to perform fully automatic, ultra-high speed screening campaigns.

The GSK (GlaxoSmithKline plc, UK) Platform Technology and Science group will present data at SLAS 2017 (Haslam et al. Poster 1194, Tuesday 1-3 pm). The Poster shows the application of rapifleX MALDI PharmaPulse 2.0 coupled with a nanoliter 1536 simultaneous pipettor (CyBio^® Well vario, Analytik Jena) for the rapid analysis of low volume, 1536-well enzyme assays. The GSK work demonstrates an automated workflow that enables sample plate preparation and analysis in just 8-10 minutes. The workflow illustrates the advantages of label-free mass spectrometry (MS) detection when coupled with the kind of ultra-high throughput that is typically associated with fluorescence-based detection. The data clearly shows the potential for true high throughput screening by MS.

Dr. Meike Hamester, Director of the Pharmaceutical Business Unit at Bruker Daltonics, commented: "The new MALDI PharmaPulse 2.0 user interface was developed in cooperation with scientists for seamless integration of mass spectrometry with uHTS robotics routinely used in the pharmaceutical industry. The unambiguous nature of direct mass measurement for primary screens, the enormous cost savings with label-free detection and just nanoliter sample consumption, coupled to smart software, significantly enhances the utility of the MALDI PharmaPulse 2.0 solution."

She continued: "We were very pleased with several key MPP 2.0 orders from major pharma companies on both sides of the Atlantic in the fourth quarter of 2016, and we believe that the MPP 2.0 solution will become a commercial success in 2017 and beyond. First installations of the new rapifleX MALDI PharmaPulse 2.0 at Boehringer Ingelheim in Biberach, Germany and at Genentech in San Francisco, CA (USA) were already successfully completed in late 2016."

Professor Matthias Trost at The Institute for Cell and Molecular Bioscience (ICaMB) of Newcastle University, UK, stated: "The novel laser technology, digitizer and generally improved instrument performance of the rapifleX massively increases speed and signal-to-noise compared to previous instruments. These features make it the instrument of choice for high-throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in drug discovery."

To learn more, please attend the SLAS 2017 Technical Seminar  on Tuesday, February 7^th, 2017  from 9:30–10:15 am ET in Room 151A of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for an informative tutorial on High-Throughput Screening presented by Melanie Leveridge, the Director, Screening Profiling and Mechanistic Biology, at the GSK Medicines Research Centre in Stevenage, UK, presenting: 'Further Advancements in MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry towards Ultra High Throughput Screening using the Bruker rapifleX System and 1536 Parallel Pipetting,' and the talk by Swen Tyrasa, Head of Automation at Analytik Jena in Jena, Germany: 'Overcome Bottlenecks in MALDI Sample Plate preparation – 1536 Parallel Pipetting – beyond just spotting.' 

About the rapifleX MALDI Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer
The rapifleX MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer is the heart of the MALDI PharmaPulse 2.0 solution. It is the only MALDI mass spectrometer with unique and proprietary 10 kHz scanning laser technology and measures up to 10 samples per second. The enhanced sensitivity and exceptional robustness-by-design allow unattended operation during pharma primary screening campaigns. All performance characteristics of the rapifleX  MALDI TOF and TOF/TOF instruments surpass anything seen before.

About Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR)
For more than 50 years, Bruker has enabled scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker's high-performance scientific research instruments and high-value analytical solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular and microscopic levels. 

In close cooperation with our customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, productivity and customer success in life science molecular research, in applied and pharma applications, in microscopy, nano-analysis and industrial applications, as well as in cell biology, preclinical imaging, clinical research, microbiology and molecular diagnostics. For more information, please visit www.bruker.com.

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