Revolutionizing life sciences: an interview with SCIEX

SCIEX recently attended ASMS 2024. What were the highlights of the conference and what were you excited to announce during the event?

Chris Lock: This year you can feel the energy reminiscent of pre-pandemic times. Attendees were looking to connect and really want to understand how new innovations will help them move faster and generate better insights, and discuss with us how they think their future needs will evolve.

If you’ve been to ASMS, you know that the nightly guest suites are full of fun and engaging activities. SCIEX unveiled our Quant Continuum series – three short videos of our launches that play throughout the night and engage audiences with reactive wristbands.

Jose Castro-Perez: We also had 3 exciting announcements at ASMS this year. You can read the full text of the announcements here:

• Launch of the SCIEX 7500+ system, the newest mass spectrometer in the SCIEX quantitative portfolio, building on a legacy of reliable and sensitive quantitation.
• Introducing ZT Scan DIA, our next generation of data-agnostic acquisition (DIA), providing the depth of coverage typical of DIA approaches, but with the precision, sensitivity and selectivity of targeted quantitative workflows.
• SCIEX and Mass Analytica collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) quantification software that enables data processing and insights in moments.

SCIEX 7500+ system. Image source: SCIEX

SCIEX has launched the SCIEX 7500+ system in ASMS. Can you explain the key features of the new mass spectrometer system and how it builds on previous models in the SCIEX quantitative range?

Chris Lock: Working with customers, we know they need faster results while ensuring greater system resilience, even for the most demanding sample types such as cannabis, cosmetics, food and plasma. The SCIEX 7500+ system builds on the existing robustness and reliability of the SCIEX 7500 system and includes improvements that increase uptime while maintaining sensitivity.

• Mass Guard Technology is a new, proprietary technology that includes the ability to actively filter potentially contaminating ions. Reduces the risk and frequency of instrument contamination, helping maintain peak sensitivity up to 2 times longer compared to existing SCIEX technology, especially when using complex matrices.
• The DJet+ assembly is fully removable, enabling serviceability from scratch, so customers can maximize the uptime of their systems.
• At 800 MRM per second, the SCIEX 7500+ system is the fastest SCIEX Triple Quad system ever. This increases the scope of large quantitative panels that need to include new compounds of interest, improving overall lab productivity.
• Powered by new functionality in the SCIEX operating system that enables users to track device performance and automate decision-making, reducing the risk of failed batches and repeat measurements.
• Compatibility with dry roughing pumps can reduce electricity consumption by 24% compared to oil-sealed pumps.

Extracts from SCIEX press releases at ASMS 2024

With the ability to process 800 MRM per second, the SCIEX 7500+ system is SCIEX’s fastest Triple Quad. How does this speed impact large quantitation panels and lab productivity?

Jose Castro-Perez: For sample sets containing a large number of analytes to be analyzed, a single LC/MS-MS sample injection can be used instead of multiple sequential injections. This will also address the speed at which methods can be developed for larger panels.

SCIEX also collaborated with Mass Analytica to showcase AI quantification software. Can you tell us more about the software, its benefits and how it processes data from the SCIEX 7500+ system?

Jose Castro-Perez: As data is generated at record speeds, connective tissue remains the way to process this data so that scientists can make decisions in real time. Quantitative AI software from this collaboration can quickly generate insights and increase productivity.

Among its many features is an AI-based MRM transition prediction model for triple quad systems such as the SCIEX 7500+ system. The predictor can be trained using user data to improve its accuracy. This feature saves time and resources by reducing the need for complex infusions and condition optimization.

Where can readers find more information?

1. www.sciex.com/7500plus
2. www.sciex.com/ztscandia
3. www.sciex.com/aiquantsoftware
4. https://www.sciex.com/products/integrated-solutions/echo-ms-plus

About the interviewees:

Chris Lock, vice president of global research and development, SCIEX.

As Vice President of Global R&D, Chris is responsible for research and development of software and hardware for LCMS and CE at SCIEX.

Since joining SCIEX over 20 years ago, Chris has held numerous technical and management positions with increasing responsibility. He has extensive experience in working with product and market management teams and in building strong inter-company relationships. He most recently served as vice president of research and development for LCMS.

Prior to joining SCIEX, Chris worked as a Research Fellow at the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute of Marine Biology in Halifax. Chris holds a B.A. in chemistry and a Ph.D. in Translational Energy Spectrometry from the University of Wales, Swansea, UK.

Jose Castro-Perez, vice president of product management, SCIEX.

As Vice President of Product Management, Jose is responsible for overall ownership of SCIEX’s global product portfolio across CE, LC/MS, software ecosystems and accessories, including product line management, technology roadmap, new product development and revenue/margin growth through value creation and commercial support.

Jose has 25 years of client experience in the pharmaceutical, CRO and biotechnology industries. In addition, he held several senior positions at Waters, focusing on marketing and business development for all products and services offered.

Jose joined SCIEX in 2019 as Senior Director of Accurate Mass Product Management, overseeing the entire Accurate Mass product portfolio. During his tenure, he was responsible for the strategy of the Accurate Mass i product line implementation of this strategy from idea to end of life. In addition, he also played a leading role in the market development department, where he was responsible for developing inbound and outbound marketing strategies for the entire SCIEX product portfolio.

Jose holds a BSc in Chemistry from King’s College London, an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Surrey, UK, and a Ph.D. PhD in metabolomics from Leiden University in the Netherlands.