Assay development project utilizes mass spectrometry technology to monitor immunosuppressant drugs in saliva

FOSTER CITY, Calif. – AB SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, today announced that the Clinical Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratory at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy is using AB SCIEX mass spectrometry technology to develop a novel test that would enable clinical researchers to use saliva to monitor immunosuppressant drugs commonly administered to make organ transplants successful.

Immunosuppressant drugs help prevent the rejection of organ transplants. To monitor the effectiveness of these drugs, clinical researchers typically collect and test blood samples; however, they are increasingly becoming interested in better procedures using less invasive sample collection mechanisms. With the goal to simplify and accelerate this analysis, the researchers at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy used AB SCIEX mass spectrometry technology to produce scientific data correlating low concentrations of immunosuppressant drugs in saliva, which represents a non-invasive and more efficient approach.

The University of Rhode Island researchers are currently using AB SCIEX technology to create a standardized saliva-based test that is simple to use and can potentially be adopted by other clinical research laboratories around the world. The University of Rhode Island will be solely responsible for advancing this test through the necessary steps to make the test meet the stringent requirements of clinical settings.

This advancement in clinical research is made possible by the API 4000™ system, a triple quadrupole system from AB SCIEX that can be used for a wide range of clinical research applications. The API 4000 quantifies the amount of drugs in saliva at extremely low levels of detection, which are not possible to detect with alternative technologies.

Fatemeh Akhlaghi, PhD., Associate Professor of Pharmacokinetics, University of Rhode Island

“Our goal is to make it easier for laboratories to accurately analyze the effectiveness of drugs used in organ transplants. By being able to obtain clinically-relevant results from saliva, clinical researchers can adopt a non-invasive procedure that could revolutionize the study of immunosuppressant drugs. The extremely sensitive analytical capabilities of AB SCIEX technology enables us to do what we could not previously do in our laboratory. The rise of mass spectrometry in our field opens new opportunities for innovation, and I cannot name any other technology that enables us to think as creatively and differently.”

Joe Anacleto, Vice President and General Manager of Applied Markets and Clinical Research, AB SCIEX

“Mass spectrometry is increasingly being used to advance clinical research. AB SCIEX continues to work with customers and collaborators to innovate in developing new tests that can be standardized for widespread adoption. Our support of the University of Rhode Island’s assay development project with our technology as the foundation demonstrates our commitment to driving the expanded use of mass spectrometry across clinical research applications.”

About the University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island is known locally and worldwide for its innovative, big ideas, adaptive intelligence and breakthrough solutions to today’s puzzling problems. URI’s pioneering research extends the University’s influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. The URI College of pharmacy has a long and successful history of research, discovery and drug development across the pharmaceutical sciences including in pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, toxicology, medicinal chemistry, natural products, pharmacoeconomics and pharmacoepidemiology.

About AB SCIEX

AB SCIEX is a global leader in the development of life science analytical technologies that help answer complex scientific challenges. The company provides scientific instrumentation, software and services used to discover new drugs, advance medical science and protect the food supply and the environment. AB SCIEX technology solutions combine the highest performance with the highest reliability to enable our customers to fuel scientific discovery, deliver results with confidence and improve the quality of life. The company has a more than 20-year history of innovation and market leadership as the former Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies joint venture. For more information about AB SCIEX, go to www.absciex.com. Follow AB SCIEX on Twitter @ABSCIEX and on Facebook.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. The trademarks mentioned herein are the property of AB Sciex Pte. Ltd. or their respective owners. AB SCIEXTM is being used under license.

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