BioCity CRO creates new Bioanalysis space with Thermo Scientific

Based at the BioCity hub in Nottingham, UK, XenoGesis is a 5-year old clinical research organisation (CRO) which offers in vitro ​DMPK, Pharmacokinetics, bioanalysis and packaged services.

The firm approached Thermo Fisher Scientific to upgrade their candidate screening techniques for liquid chromatography mass spectrometers (LC-MS) to improve their bioanalysis services.

XenoGesis acquired two machines from Thermo Fisher, both to be paired to the Thermo Fisher’s ‘Vanquish Flex Binary UHPLC’ system.

This is a biocompatible ultra-high performance liquid chromatography system which the firm uses in preclinical screening, quantitation, identification and confirmation of targeted and untargeted compounds.

Director of Bioanalysis, Iain Beattie, said “The acquisition of these instruments allows us to expand our bioanalysis as demand increases.”​

Screening technology

XenoGesis acquired a Thermo Fisher Q Exactive Focus Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer, which is sensitive and more flexible in its application.

A second machine, the Thermo Fisher TSQ Quantiva Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, has an emphasis on speed for a more select range of targets.

XenoGesis claims the Orbitrap technology built into these machines helps clients “simplify method development”​ and save time.

Generally, there is an “​increasing push​”​ by the industry to use HPLC with mass spectrometry for the analysis of large molecules such as proteins.

This demand is an opportunity for XenoGesis according to Beattie, who added: “The Orbitrap’s high resolution capability allows an alternative approach for bioanalysis whilst enhancing our analysis of large molecules including proteins or antibodies.”​

Independence

Founded in 2011, the team comprises of 22 staff operating from BioCity in Nottingham​, UK.

"XenoGesis is the UK’s largest independent laboratory-based CRO specialising in preclinical DMPK and bioanalysis,”​ said Sarah Horsley, Senior Sales Manager for the firm.

XenoGesis has previously told Outsourcing-Pharma that it is because Xenogesis is so individual and specific​ that sponsors choose smaller CROs such as themselves.

BioCity encourages collaboration​ between contractors based there and XenoGesis partners include Juniper Pharma Services, Saretius, Reach Separations and Axis BioServices.