Thermo Fisher Scientific and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) has announced a scientific collaboration focused on the development of analytical solutions for the characterisation of complex biopharmaceuticals.

Biopharmaceuticals represent protein molecules produced by genetically engineered living cells using large scale industrial bioprocessing. The complexity of these molecules requires advanced analytical characterisation strategies to ensure that biopharmaceuticals are produced to the highest possible quality level.

This collaboration will see NIBRT develop workflows on the Thermo Scientific biomolecule column range with its associated consumable portfolio in conjunction with sophisticated Thermo Scientific liquid chromatography systems and advanced Thermo Scientific Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometers.

“This collaboration is important because it enables our team to access Thermo Fisher’s world leading columns and analytical instrumentation to develop total analytical solutions and streamline the characterisation of complex biopharmaceuticals,” said Dr. Jonathan Bones, principal investigator, NIBRT’s Characterisation and Compatibility Laboratory. “The availability of total analytical solutions to scientists across the world is empowering and motivates us at NIBRT to continually perform excellent impactful research.”

“Analytical characterisation of biopharmaceuticals remains a challenge for scientists and requires cutting edge chromatography solutions and mass spectrometry detection,” said Jakob Gudbrand, president of chromatography and analytical technologies at Thermo Fisher. “NIBRT is an independent centre of excellence with collaborations across the major biopharmaceutical companies in the industry. This allows them to provide valuable insights to improve the technology, simplify analysis, generate informative characterisation data and understand these complex molecules -- ultimately enabling scientists to move from sample to knowledge quickly and efficiently.”

NIBRT’s workflows and methods will be uploaded to the Thermo Scientific AppsLab library, a unique cloud-based applications compendium that enables scientists across the globe to access and download these total analytical solutions directly to their instruments enabling them to simplify their analysis, generate highly informative characterisation data faster and understand their complex molecules better.

“We are delighted to be working with Thermo Fisher,” said Dominic Carolan, CEO, NIBRT. “World class collaborations such as this are testament to Ireland’s emergence as a global centre of excellence in all aspects of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.”