Dan Redfern from Biognosys delivered a presentation on unbiased targeted proteomics and its applications in biomarker discovery. He began by providing a brief history of Biognosys, which was founded 16 years ago as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, specifically from the lab of Ruedi Aebersold, a pioneer in DIA proteomics. The company specialised in DIA mass spectrometry, focusing on deep proteome coverage. Over the years, Biognosys expanded its capabilities, moving towards high throughput processing without compromising on deep coverage. They processed thousands of samples annually, primarily in their Zurich headquarters, and recently opened a high throughput lab in Boston to cater to the US clinical market.
Biognosys had over 800 clients, including large pharma and biotech companies, and contributed to nearly 4000 publications using their proteomic platforms. They joined the Bruker family last year, gaining access to the latest technology to improve their workflows. Redfern highlighted the advantages of mass spectrometry, such as reliable detection of multiple peptides per protein, accurate quantification, and identification across various sample types. Biognosys operated three main platforms: TrueDiscovery for unbiased proteomics, TrueSignature for targeted assays, and LIP-MS for small molecule target identification.
The TrueDiscovery platform used DIA mass spectrometry to quantify up to 14,000 proteins in tissue samples, focusing on functional analysis rather than just raw data. The TrueSignature platform allowed for customizable targeted panels for PK/PD biomarker quantification, utilising heavy labelled peptides for absolute quantification. Redfern presented a case study involving Peptomyc, which utilised targeted assays to analyse the pharmacokinetics of their MYC inhibitor, Omomyc. The study demonstrated successful quantification in various sample types, including fresh frozen tissue and serum.
In summary, Redfern emphasised the importance of mass spectrometry in drug discovery, highlighting its unbiased and targeted analysis capabilities. Biognosys' platforms were matrix and species agnostic, allowing for seamless transition from preclinical to clinical trials. The presentation showcased Biognosys' technological advancements and their commitment to improving workflows and client outcomes.
