MicroConstants, Inc., a bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic-specialty Contract Research Organization (CRO) in San Diego, California, announces the continued expansion of its bioanalytical capacity through the addition of a second Waters Xevo TQ MS system. The CRO has also appointed a new East Coast business development manager to actively pursue new business opportunities in that region.
MicroConstants recently completed the installation of a second Waters Xevo TQ MS system coupled with a Waters Acquity UPLC system, increasing their bioanalytical services capacity. With these new systems, bioanalytical methods can be easily transferred to MicroConstants with little or no modification. In many cases, lower limits of detection will be achievable when properly optimized on the Waters system. The addition of the new mass spectrometer increases the equipment count at its San Diego laboratory to 16 LC/MS/MS systems.
"With two identical Xevo LC/MS/MS systems, we have doubled our capacity for the high-sensitivity methods currently validated on our first Xevo which was installed last fall," says David F. Beyerlein, vice president of global operations at MicroConstants. "The acquisition of the second system also allows our expedited sample analysis to continue uninterrupted during our scheduled quarterly preventative maintenance."
The expansion of MicroConstants' bioanalytical capacity also included the transition of a portion of the Formulation Analysis Department to the existing Bioanalytical Chemistry Team. This move was in response to several clients successfully progressing their drug development programs from IND-enabling toxicology studies into the clinic. Consequently, the capacity for the analysis of test articles from GLP toxicology studies has been temporarily reduced to match project needs. The transition has not had an effect on the company's growing Drug Metabolism or Immunoassay departments which will continue to expand, along with their bioanalytical services, based on the growing demands in the market.
Additionally, MicroConstants recently appointed Sam Raees as their new East Coast business development manager. Sam's primary goal will be to generate new business with pharmaceutical and biotech companies developing new chemical entities (NCEs) on the East Coast of the United States. MicroConstants has supported several clients in this region by providing contract research services to help advance their drug development programs; however, they are now actively pursuing new clients in this territory. This expansion of MicroConstants' business development team will further the company's mission of becoming the recognized leader in bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic analysis.