At the International Mass Spectrometry Conference (IMSC) in Japan, AB Sciex (Massachusetts, USA) announced the introduction of an initiative targeted at the development of biologics, a rapidly growing research area within the field of drug discovery. The initiative is aimed at encouraging the inclusion of scientists from academia and industry, in the creation of products designed for use in the development of biologics.

The classical model of drug development is based on small molecule analysis; however, recent technological advances have challenged this, encouraging the development of large molecule analysis methods such as protein characterization. In addition, the development of legislation in the US allowing the licensing of biologic drugs has resulted in a global increase in the number of biologics in development.

The initiative consists of four key areas:

• The development of products specifically for biologics;
• The continued development of a beta software program for biologics characterization;
• The introduction of a one-on-one connections program;
• The formation of forums for the sharing of information and encouragement of collaboration formation between researchers.

"We recognize biologics for its strategic importance to the pharmaceutical industry," said Rainer Blair, the president of AB Sciex. "We are working closely with pharmaceutical scientists to develop and shape new software solutions that directly address the needs and requirements for the new frontier of drug discovery and development.”

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