An automated complementary method for spatially resolved quantitative analysis of drugs and biomarkers
Having an initial understanding of drug distribution, quantification and target engagement within disease-relevant histological structures is critical in choosing more effective drug candidates. MALDI MSI unveils the quantitative distribution of label-free drugs, or biomarkers, providing valuable data that complements information obtained through traditional approaches.
Our optimized workflows offer solutions to problems that are sometimes encountered when you quantify drugs and biomarkers with MSI, and open the door for precision quantification of any molecule in specific regions of interest.
Download our application note to learn more:
Discover the intricacies of molecular landscapes through quantitative mass spectrometry imaging (QMSI)
Aliri’s proprietary imaging workflows will help you understand localization, quantification, and distribution of drugs at the site of action.
Studying drug efficacy at the site of action gives us valuable and unique insights into:
- Drug bioavailability
- Drug biodistribution
- Targeted tissue exposure
- On-tissue PK/PD
- Monitoring the drug effects through readout biomarkers (metabolites, lipids, genes expression, proteins)
Our QMSI spatial platform uses data analysis to conduct molecular distributions, and artificial intelligence to find patterns and make predictions. This advanced imaging technique allows you to visualize the molecule within tissues, and evaluate how prevalent the drug is within the histological region of interest.
Our high expertise in this area sets us apart from other CROs in pharma/bio industries and positions us as a leader in spatial bioanalysis and biology services.
Check out our infographic to learn more about our unique imaging platforms.
WRIB 2023 Poster: Bimiralizib distribution in human skin biopsies after topical administration obtained by validated quantitative mass spectrometry imaging
Quantitative MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging (QSMI) can be used to determine drug distribution in first-in-human studies
At WRIB 2023, Shane Karnik, Senior Laboratory Director at Aliri, presented a poster about utilizing QSMI to determine Bimiralizib distribution in human skin biopsies.
Recent clinical trial results validate Bimiralizib distribution in human skin and showcase:
- Robustness of MALDI MSI method
- Approach not limited to dermatology; already applied in oncology
- Absolute quantification allowed to determine if the compound reached the site of action
- Method allows to characterize small compound PK in clinical trial
- Method allows the characterization of the target engagement
Download our poster about utilizing QSMI to determine drug distribution.
ATP detection by quantitative mass spec imaging (QMSI)
As leaders in the field of spatial bioanalysis, Aliri utilizes state-of-the-art imaging techniques to evaluate localization and distribution of molecules within tissue microenvironments.
Our unique approach utilizing by quantitative mass spectrometry imaging (QMSI) for pathway detection allows us to:
- Stabilize the ATP pathway with an inhibitor cocktail
- Normalize the signal intensities from the raw data sets
- Perform the absolute quantification of the ATP
- Calculate the relative quantification of the ADP and AMP
Learn how we can help you leverage ATP pathway detection with QMSI
Batch alignment of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) metabolome through data integration
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a critical tool used to investigate tissues and molecules in spatial bioanalysis. Technical challenges in MSI, also known as batch-effects, have proven to impede reliable comparison of data from large-scale studies performed in translational clinical research.
Meaningful analysis of data generated in large-scale studies is critical for medicine and biology studies. This application note focuses on a batch correction method designed to minimize impedance of batch-effects and allow reliable identification of biological clusters and their comparison.
Download to learn more about batch alignment through data integration.
Automated approach to quantify single molecule in complex tissues
This application note focuses on an efficient analysis method which enables the quantification of molecules at the single-cell level. Accurate RNA quantification in single molecules is crucial to understand the dynamics of gene expression and regulation.
In this study, individual molecules were imaged in fixed cells and DNA staining was performed in tumoral areas of the tissue. Analysis results showcase quantification of single cells and provide an understanding of cell-to-cell interactions in cancer cells and other molecules.
Download to learn more about quantifying single molecules in complex tissues.
QMSI vs. QWBA: Evaluating Benefits and Risks
Knowing when to use Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Imaging (QMSI) instead of Quantitative Whole-Body Autoradiography (QWBA) can make or break a timeline and budget for pharma and biotech companies.
Consider the following key advantages when selecting which technique is right for your drug development program:
QSMI Advantages:
- Label-free quantification of thousands of analytes
- Excellent differentiation among parent drugs, metabolites, and other substances
- Highly specific in quantification by location in tissue
QWBA Advantages:
- Highly precise quantification capabilities, even at low and high limits of detection
- Spatial resolution at the cellular level
- Gold standard technique for the late-stage regulatory distribution studies
Even though QWBA remains the gold standard technique during late stage for regulatory agencies, QMSI is frequently used in support of the autoradiography in certain circumstances.
Further evaluate the benefits and risks associated with each technology.
Personalized therapy selection: Investigation of multiple immune-checkpoints
PD1 blockade has changed the immunotherapy approach against solid tumors – prescribing patients’ monoclonal antibody-based therapy yielded positive results. However, the number of patients that benefited was small compared to expectations, and lack of attention paid to immunohistochemistry could be responsible. Understanding the tumor microenvironment with a single biomarker is not accurate enough to predict the interaction of the drug with the site of action, or to predict the effectiveness of the drug for the patient.
In this application note, industry expert, Corinne Ramos, PhD, discusses how understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) at the biomarker level is not enough to predict the interaction of the drug with the site of action. Her study performs a deep spatial profiling of biomarkers on two baseline non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue samples. The population of gene expression was characterized with a focus on a specific region of interest on the tissue where she could draw conclusions on the TME.
Her research walks through:
- Immune infiltration
- How phenotype correlates with ICI response
- T-cell-inflamed gene-expression profiles
- Immune suppressive pathways that reduce ICI activity
- Tight immune checkpoint targeting.
Learn why the TME needs to be investigated at the molecular level to accurately prescribe the appropriate therapy.
Top 8 Benefits of Mass Spectrometry Imaging Early in Drug Development
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a groundbreaking technology that provides visuals of complex biological samples to study a drug’s distribution and understand its potential toxicity. MSI can unlock crucial data and give scientists additional insights into drug discovery, diseases, and personalized medicine.
MSI is beneficial in early development and murine models across many therapeutic areas and is especially suited to oncology due to the availability of tissue. With MSI you can:
- Speed up and optimize the drug discovery process
- Visualize drug distribution in tissues and tissue sub-compartments
- Analyze samples for thousands of compounds at once
- Eliminate sensitivity and chemical alteration concerns
- Know whether efficacy is possible based on distribution
- Locate and identify metabolites to understand potential toxicity
- Improve understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Save money and provide a competitive development edge
Download our infographic to learn more about the benefits of mass spectrometry imaging in oncology.
The Future of Small and Large Molecule Bioanalytics—Today
In bioanalysis, the future of small and large molecules offers exciting prospects for advancements in drug discovery, diagnostics, and therapeutics. With the increase of larger substances, emerging technologies, and new analytical approaches, drug developers are faced with both new opportunities to evaluate complex substances, and new challenges to address. Therefore, it’s important to learn which bioanalysis techniques are right for your drug.
In this white paper, you’ll learn about:
- Bioanalysis by molecular size
- Advancements in mass spectrometry
- Visualization and quantification of drug distribution
- The era of spatial imaging
- Novel technologies and adaptions
For more information about emerging technologies revolutionizing the field of bioanalysis, download our whitepaper today.