A novel LC-MS approach for the detection of metabolites in DMPK studies

The profiling and quantification of drug metabolites in discovery and development bioanalysis studies is playing an increasingly important role in early candidate selection. Using a conventional tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer this activity normally requires several analytical runs to acquire the necessary analytical data.

In this article we present the use of a new tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with a novel collision cell design, which allows the rapid switching between multiple reaction monitoring and full-scan MS mode. This approach allowed for the collection of multiple reaction monitoring data and full-scan data with no loss in sensitivity, with analysis times in the 1-2 min range.

A modified approach of using the multiple reaction monitoring data to trigger the acquisition of full scan MS/MS data is described, where the data is collected on the trailing edge of the LC-MS peak, thus improving data quality and throughput.