Thermo Fisher Scientific and Immundiagnostik collaborate on mass spectrometry-based clinical and research tools

Thermo Fisher Scientific and Immundiagnostik have announced a collaboration to develop novel mass spectrometry-based assays for qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins and peptides. The goal is development of commercial assays to be widely applicable in research and routine clinical analysis.

The collaboration will focus on advancing biomarker research by combining Immundiagnostik’s ImmunoTube antibody technology with Thermo Fisher’s liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analytics to create new assays for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and bone metabolism disorders.

The goal is to develop a sensitive, reliable, qualitative and quantitative assay of complex samples, using Immundiagnostik’s antibody capabilities to optimise sample preparation and to efficiently isolate low-level analytes in complex mixtures. Thermo Fisher’s high-throughput mass spectrometric immunoassay (MSIA) technology will also be applied, as well as the Thermo Scientific TSQ Vantage triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for quantitative analysis of small peptides, and Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Elite high-resolution highly accurate mass spectrometer to measure post-translational modifications. The goal is to develop assays that will achieve extremely selective identification of all molecular variations of peptides and proteins.

“We are impressed with Immundiagnostik’s antibody expertise, and are confident that the immunoaffinity purification of proteins will take quantitative LC-MS/MS protein analysis to the next level,” said Jeff Zonderman, Thermo Fisher director of clinical and toxicology LC/MS.

“This type of work demands precise analytical tools,” said Dr Franz Paul Armbruster, CEO of Immundiagnostik. “Thermo Fisher, with its recognised excellence in accurate-mass and high-resolution measurement, is the ideal partner for the advancement of our LC-MS/MS product line of assays.”

As part of the collaboration, Immundiagnostik will provide a venue for demonstrating various Thermo Fisher technology applications. In addition, Immundiagnostik will utilise its academic and clinical network to identify diagnostic parameters, validate novel LC-MS/MS products and develop new assays for commercial distribution.