SCIEX and Indigo Team Up to Accelerate Adoption of Next-generation Mass Spectrometry for Clinical Research, Forensic Toxicology and Clinical Trials

SCIEX and Indigo BioSystems today announced an agreement to jointly market mass spectrometry solutions that streamline data acquisition and automate data review.

SCIEX and Indigo BioSystems today announced an agreement to jointly market mass spectrometry solutions that streamline data acquisition and automate data review to ensure high quality results in clinical research and forensic toxicology as well as pre-clinical and clinical trials of new drugs. These joint solutions are expected to simplify and accelerate the use of new-generation mass spectrometry technologies, which will be exhibited at the SCIEX and Indigo BioSystems booths this week at the Mass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Lab (MSACL) conference in San Diego.

Under the terms of the agreement, SCIEX is combining its industry-leading mass spectrometry platforms with Indigo BioSystems's expert system software ASCENT^TM with new-generation algorithms to simplify the use of mass spectrometry for those who are accustomed to using easy-to-use lab analyzers. ASCENT^TM adds value by automating the processing and review of data generated on SCIEX mass spectrometry systems, which deliver the most accurate data possible with identification, quantitation and confirmation uniquely rolled up in a single workflow.

SCIEX is a global leader in mass spectrometry technologies, building on a more than 20-year history of innovation in the most promising field to push the limits in clinical research and forensics: LC/MS/MS (liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry). Its state-of-the-art technology has set a new standard in qualitative and quantitative analysis for clinical research and forensic toxicology laboratories as well as pharmaceutical companies and biomedical researchers in academia.

Indigo BioSystems is a leader in automated high-throughput production-scale data analysis and quality review software, providing expertise in mass spectrometry and lab process automation. Indigo BioSystems re-engineered the entire data analysis process from the ground up using ideas from advanced statistics, machine learning and modern parallel computational techniques. The result is a streamlined automated system that seamlessly moves data from instruments to powerful processing tools, reducing the review and QC workload by 75% or more.

"Automation is an important step to accelerate the adoption of new-generation mass spectrometry for clinical research, forensics and clinical trials," said Joe Anacleto, Vice President of Applied Markets and Clinical Research, SCIEX. "We are striving to make mass spectrometry as easy to use as possible for researchers analyzing steroids, pain panels, drugs of abuse and an expanding variety of substances. Our relationship with Indigo BioSystems allows us to bring LC/MS/MS solutions to researchers who may not ordinarily consider mass spectrometry but can now have the assurance of a simplified workflow while getting all the attractive benefits of LC/MS/MS technology."

LC/MS/MS, which is a versatile, proven analytical technology, provides significant benefits over alternative technologies, such as GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). LC/MS/MS represents the new frontier of mass spectrometry, delivering the most accurate results, reduced sample preparation, lower cost per sample, and integrated qualitative and quantitative analysis. The combination of SCIEX's and Indigo's technologies will ensure the accuracy of results, speed up batch release and increase compliance with QC rules needed to ensure high quality.

"By embedding the knowledge of assay experts into the analysis software, we provide the foundation for smarter research laboratories," said Indigo CEO Raul Zavaleta. "We are pleased to be partnering with the industry leader in LC/MS/MS to achieve this goal."