Glycan Solutions

Glycan Solutions

Waters combined systems, software, columns, sample preparation, and informatics provide biopharmaceutical analysts with smart workflows to streamline glycan analysis – whether you’re focused on released glycan monitoring and characterization, glycoprotein profiling, middle-up/down, subunit analysis, monosaccharide and sialic acid composition, or glycopeptide mapping.

Waters combined systems, software, columns, sample preparation, and informatics provide biopharmaceutical analysts with smart workflows to streamline glycan analysis – whether you’re focused on released glycan monitoring and characterization, glycoprotein profiling, middle-up/down, subunit analysis, monosaccharide and sialic acid composition, or glycopeptide mapping.
Download Case Study
Waters N-glycan illustration
Waters N-glycan illustration

Overview

Over two thirds of marketed recombinant biopharmaceutical products are glycoproteins, and regulatory agencies require the use of state-of-the-art glycan analysis methods for the development and commercialization of safe and effective glycosylated biotherapeutics.  

Waters can help improve the quality of your glycan analysis and reduce sample prep time with easy to use workflow-based approaches, transforming what had once been a specialized and complicated activity into one in which scientists of any skill level can be successful. Our solutions span the entire development cycle— from released glycan monitoring and characterization, to glycoprotein profiling, middle-up/down, subunit analysis, monosaccharide and sialic acid composition, and glycopeptide mapping. Partner with Waters for the latest advancements to keep your lab compliant, accelerate your decision-making, and advance molecules to the clinic faster.

Download the Infographic

Applications

Obtain an overall profile of glycans at the protein level with Waters fast LC-MS workflows. Learn how you can easily screen, identify, and characterize intact proteins for batch-to-batch comparison to confirm that glycoprotein profiles match expectations or quickly identify unusual distributions of glycoforms.

Obtain an overall profile of glycans at the protein level with Waters fast LC-MS workflows. Learn how you can easily screen, identify, and characterize intact proteins for batch-to-batch comparison to confirm that glycoprotein profiles match expectations or quickly identify unusual distributions of glycoforms.

Application Notes

Antibody drug conjugates

Examine glycoforms more closely to see smaller molecular weight differences with Waters high-performance LC-MS subunit workflows. When specific glycoforms are of interest, specific digestions and separations of smaller protein subunits can enhance your visibility of glycosylation and post-translational modifications (PTMs) like oxidation for critical insight into underlying cellular processes.

Examine glycoforms more closely to see smaller molecular weight differences with Waters high-performance LC-MS subunit workflows. When specific glycoforms are of interest, specific digestions and separations of smaller protein subunits can enhance your visibility of glycosylation and post-translational modifications (PTMs) like oxidation for critical insight into underlying cellular processes.

Application Notes

Molecular model of the antibody working in the human body

Characterize glycoproteins at the glycopeptide level to develop new protein-based therapies using Waters proven UPLC-MS workflows. With a method complementary to HILIC/FLR separation of N-linked glycans released from the protein, glycopeptide mapping gains efficiency in sample preparation while preserving information about glycan heterogeneity and site occupancy.

Characterize glycoproteins at the glycopeptide level to develop new protein-based therapies using Waters proven UPLC-MS workflows. With a method complementary to HILIC/FLR separation of N-linked glycans released from the protein, glycopeptide mapping gains efficiency in sample preparation while preserving information about glycan heterogeneity and site occupancy.

Application Notes

Eliminate technical challenges when characterizing and monitoring the glycan population of a biotherapeutic protein with Waters UPLC-MS workflows. With solutions that combine sample preparation , separation and detection, learn how you can gain additional MS sensitivity for accurate mass confirmation of low-level peaks and enhanced MS/MS glycan fragmentation for evidence of correct glycan assignment.

Eliminate technical challenges when characterizing and monitoring the glycan population of a biotherapeutic protein with Waters UPLC-MS workflows. With solutions that combine sample preparation , separation and detection, learn how you can gain additional MS sensitivity for accurate mass confirmation of low-level peaks and enhanced MS/MS glycan fragmentation for evidence of correct glycan assignment.

Application Notes

IgG1 monoclonal antibody (immunoglobulin) glycan

Obtain improved efficiency for monosaccharide composition analysis by reducing assay time to result with Waters UPLC systems and chemistries. Discover how to overcome difficulties characterizing and monitoring profile changes in total glycan composition and accurately identify monosaccharide modifications, including phosphorylation and sulfation, without the need for mass spectrometry.

Obtain improved efficiency for monosaccharide composition analysis by reducing assay time to result with Waters UPLC systems and chemistries. Discover how to overcome difficulties characterizing and monitoring profile changes in total glycan composition and accurately identify monosaccharide modifications, including phosphorylation and sulfation, without the need for mass spectrometry.

Application Notes

Cubes of cane sugar on wooden table

Demo: Glycan Analysis Workflow with Andrew+ Pipetting Robot

Glycans attached to proteins play a critical role in the serum half-life, efficacy, and safety of a biopharmaceutical. The characterization and monitoring of N-glycans is an important element of the therapeutic development process. This short presentation describes the automated workflow and Waters solutions used for released N-glycan analysis for streamlined processing and reporting.

Glycans attached to proteins play a critical role in the serum half-life, efficacy, and safety of a biopharmaceutical. The characterization and monitoring of N-glycans is an important element of the therapeutic development process. This short presentation describes the automated workflow and Waters solutions used for released N-glycan analysis for streamlined processing and reporting.
Watch Demo
Andrew Alliance Lab

Solutions

Fast, comprehensive analysis, from mass detection for peptides and glycans to UPLC and UPLC-MS systems for glycan monitoring and characterization, with Waters compliance-ready solutions.

Fast, comprehensive analysis, from mass detection for peptides and glycans to UPLC and UPLC-MS systems for glycan monitoring and characterization, with Waters compliance-ready solutions.

Efficient glycan characterization and monitoring throughout development and QC

Efficient glycan characterization and monitoring throughout development and QC
BioAccord LC-MS System with ACQUITY Premier

Enable streamlined LC-MS released glycan analyses in every lab with Waters BioAccord LC-MS System, and waters_connect software for compliance-ready data analysis and reporting.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis

Ultra-low adsorption for maximum sensitivity and reproducibility

Ultra-low adsorption for maximum sensitivity and reproducibility
MaxPeak Premier Solutions

Eliminate the unpredictability of analyte losses due to metal interactions, which can be especially pronounced with biological molecules, using MaxPeak Premier columns and systems.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Monosaccharide Composition

Complete high-resolution coverage for confident characterization and method transfer

Complete high-resolution coverage for confident characterization and method transfer
Xevo G3 QTof

Accelerate glycan characterization and monitoring with the Xevo G3 QTof high-performance HRMS benchtop system, delivering accurate qualitative and quantitative results.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis

Separate beyond question with the power of mass detection

Separate beyond question with the power of mass detection
ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector

Take single quadrupole performance to the next level with the ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector that is easy to use, remarkably robust, and complementary to optical detection to confirm and monitor glycan profiles.

  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Monosaccharide Composition

Unrivaled sensitivity and selectivity in UPLC detection

Unrivaled sensitivity and selectivity in UPLC detection
ACQUITY UPLC and ACQUITY Premier FLR Detectors

Achieve high-sensitivity, multi-channel fluorescence detectors with the ACQUITY UPLC and ACQUITY Premier Fluorescence (FLR) detectors that boast innovative flow cell design, low-noise electronics, and support for high-speed data rates for unrivaled UPLC/UHPLC separations.

  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping

Gain efficiency and walk away time with verified lab automation solutions.

Gain efficiency and walk away time with verified lab automation solutions.

Enhance sample prep efficiency and throughput

Enhance sample prep efficiency and throughput
Laboratory Automation and Equipment

Streamline sample preparation for quantitative LC-MS analyses with verified workflows that help minimize variability, improve traceability, and simplify method transfer.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis

Waters software streamlines data acquisition, processing, and reporting glycan analysis results.

Waters software streamlines data acquisition, processing, and reporting glycan analysis results.

 Streamline data analysis and processing

 Streamline data analysis and processing
waters_connect for biopharmaceuticals

Accelerate the journey from sample analysis to decision-making with waters_connect for biopharmaceuticals that offers dedicated apps and workflows for MAM, intact mass analysis, sequence confirmation, and more.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis

Simplify data acquisition, processing, and reporting

Simplify data acquisition, processing, and reporting
Empower Chromatography Data System (CDS)

Equip your lab with Empower Chromatography Data System (CDS) and gain advanced laboratory data management for your impurity analyses, including acquisition, processing, and reporting for liquid and gas chromatography instruments.

  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Monosaccharide Composition

Workflow solutions for glycoproteins and released N-glycan profiling with a comprehensive set of integrated products for fast, efficient and accurate glycan analysis

Workflow solutions for glycoproteins and released N-glycan profiling with a comprehensive set of integrated products for fast, efficient and accurate glycan analysis

Gain control over your glycan separations

Gain control over your glycan separations
MaxPeak Premier Glycan Columns

Obtain fast, high resolution glycan identification with Waters complete line of glycan columns to analyze glycoproteins, glycopeptides and released N-glycans with exceptional reproducibility.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis

Rapid, sensitive, and easy detection of N-glycans 

Rapid, sensitive, and easy detection of N-glycans 
GlycoWorks RapiFluor-MS Released N-Glycan Kits

Achieve unprecedented fluorescent and mass spectrometric performance for glycan detection with GlycoWorks N-glycan Kits that improve the throughput of N-glycan sample preparation so you don’t have to compromise between speed and sensitivity. 

  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping

Benchmark and validate your glycan columns with ease 

Benchmark and validate your glycan columns with ease 
Glycan Standards and Buffers

Verify your column performance upon receipt and monitor column condition on a regular basis with Waters Glycan Standards and run your glycan separations on any LC-MS system with ease and confidence.

  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Dextran Ladder
  • Glucose Units
  • Glycopeptide Mapping

Your success is just a click away

Your success is just a click away
Waters Global Services

Optimize your laboratory's productivity and success with Waters Global Services to maintain peak system performance, minimize down time, address application challenges, and support stringent compliance requirements.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Monosaccharide Composition

Make science more accessible with Waters Capital

Make science more accessible with Waters Capital
Payment Solutions

Maximize resources and minimize risk with payment options from Waters Capital, including upgrading aging equipment, getting customized support, and bundling services into one monthly payment.

  • Intact Glycoprotein Analysis
  • Subunit Analysis
  • Glycopeptide Mapping
  • Released N-Glycan Analysis
  • Monosaccharide Composition

The data speaks for itself

The data speaks for itself
Separations of the Glycoprotein Performance Test Standard
Separations of the Glycoprotein Performance Test Standard (RNase A + RNase B glycoforms) using a Glycoprotein BEH Amide 300Å, 1.7 µm Column versus a BEH Amide, 130Å,1.7 µm Column. The reported resolution values were calculated using the half-height peak widths of species 1 and 2 (RNase A and RNase B Man5 glycoforms, respectively). Fluorescence detection at Ex 280 nm and Em 320 nm and a column temperature of 45 °C were employed in this example.
Glycan BEH Amide vs Glycoprotein BEH Amide
HILIC fluorescence chromatograms for RapiFluor-MS labeled N-glycans from recombinant Factor IX as obtained using 2.1 x 150 mm columns with various amide bonded stationary phases. Peak capacities were calculated from half-height widths and retention windows derived from the labeled peaks.
Workflow 1 – Glycan FLR with MS confirmation.
Workflow 1 – Glycan FLR with MS confirmation.
Conventional Steel Column
Impact of column conditioning on HILIC of N-Glycans when using ACQUITY Premier Columns. A) FLR profiling of the RapiFluor-MS Glycan Performance Test Standard using a 2.1 x 150 mm ACQUITY Premier 1.7 µm BEH Amide Column at injection 1 (initial run), Inj. 4 (after several repeat injections of the glycan standard) and Inj. 5 (after fetuin-based conditioning and passivation); B) % Recovery of selected glycans at different injections; C) Effective peak capacity (Pc*) of ACQUITY Premier Columns at different injections.

Webinars and Resources

  • Infographic

What Information Do You Need From Your Glycan Analysis

What Information Do You Need From Your Glycan Analysis
Download
  • Brochure

Glycan Analysis Solutions

Glycan Analysis Solutions
Download
  • Application Notebook

Glycans

Glycans
Download
  • White Paper

Best Practices in the Analysis of RapiFluor-MS Labeled Glycans Using Mass Detection

Best Practices in the Analysis of RapiFluor-MS Labeled Glycans Using Mass Detection
Download
  • White Paper

MaxPeak Premier Solutions: Improving Consumer Safety Through Innovative Science White Paper

MaxPeak Premier Solutions: Improving Consumer Safety Through Innovative Science White Paper
Download

Learn more about Glycan Solutions.

Learn more about Glycan Solutions.
Waters N-glycan illustration
Back To Top Back To Top