What is Bioanalytical Assay Development and Validation?

Bioanalytical assay development helps determine the design implications, limitations, favorable conditions, and suitability of a drug for the intended treatment. Before assay development and validation can be initiated, it is recommended to understand the physiochemical properties of the analyte. Bioanalytical assay development is considerably informed by the details on protein binding and in vivo/in vitro metabolism along with essential aspects of prior work on the method. Bioanalytical assays play a crucial role in the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products given their ability to discern purity, identity, performance, and potency of these compounds. Furthermore, the involved techniques allow reproducible and reliable quantitation of analytes in various biological matrices, such as plasma, urine, blood, or serum.

Assay validation is performed for the analysis of drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers to ensure that the test results are precise and accurate, and the generated data is reasonably robust in supporting drug development and other intended purposes. Several method characteristics play a significant role during each stage of assay development and validation, including specific chemistry of analyte, sample clean-up to analysis methodology, and desired method sensitivity. The selectivity and sensitivity of bioanalytical assays developed for drug and metabolite quantitation thoroughly impact the success of preclinical and clinical studies. Thus, careful sample preparation, HPLC column, and mobile phase selection, and choice of detector and quantitation method are critical during LC-MS assay development.

The purpose of assay development and validation is to find a suitable method applicable to a chosen analyte in a specific biological matrix. The analysis outcome might be inaccurate if the assay is not validated correctly and deemed unreliable. This assay inadequacy could be due to low sensitivity, selectivity, precision, accuracy or any other reason. Given the significance of this topic, the FDA has published guidance to provide guardrails around assay development and validation discussions. Generally, the assay can be used with full confidence to produce reliable data if the FDA method development guidance is followed and all its outlined criteria are met. Thus, assay development and validation are carried out with appropriate technology so that compliance with regulatory and scientific requirements can be achieved. Additionally, analytical information obtained from already existing bioanalytical assays may sometimes be effectively utilized.

Bioanalytical Assay Development and Validation during Drug Discovery, Preclinical, and Clinical Phases

During preclinical development, bioanalytical assays assess the impact of New chemical entity (NCE) as a potential treatment on various animal species. Further bioanalytical method development and validation is required to evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters, toxicity, and safety profile in humans of the drug compound that reaches the clinical stage. Sample collection, processing, and preparation should be thoroughly assessed before starting assay development to mitigate future risk factors at a later stage and validation phase.

Simply put, bioanalytical assays are imperative in improving a drug candidate’s success rate in preclinical animal studies. Robust assay development and validation during early preclinical studies is time well spent as satisfactory assays can be carried out further into development stages with minimal effort. Bioanalytical assays during clinical studies in human volunteers involve quantitation of analytes and corresponding metabolites as well as an assessment of various matrices. This analysis provides significant guidance on toxicokinetic and pharmacokinetic parameters evaluated through assay development and validation.

NorthEast BioLab Bioanalytical Assay Development and Validation Services

NorthEast BioLab offers comprehensive bioanalytical assay development services at every stage of drug development during drug discovery, preclinical and clinical studies. Our scientists assist in assay development and validation for quantitation of analyte and metabolites for blood, plasma, serum, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples among other standard matrices. Our bioanalytical method development services can be utilized for small and large molecules, such as NCE, biosimilars, peptides, antibody drug conjugates (ADC), monoclonal antibodies (mAb), and oligonucleotides.

LC-MS-MS Assay

LC-MS-MS assays are primarily used for the clinical grade analysis of small molecule drugs and metabolites in biological fluids. NorthEast BioLab has developed and validated over 200 methods from scratch and utilized these methods for preclinical Tox studies and Phase I-IV clinical studies. Many of these methods were also submitted with regulatory agencies as part of IND and NDA filings.

ELISA Assay

The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) determines and quantifies proteins. An antibody is connected to the enzyme which can accomplish catalysis of a chemiluminescent or colorimetric substrate. Scientists at NorthEast BioLab utilize ELISA assays for determining concentration and presence of the analyte in the sample.

Biomarker Testing Assay

Our expertise in analyzing various analytes in multiplex and singleplex formats for multiple diseases and health conditions have given us the leverage to provide comprehensive biomarker assay development and validation services. These services include the method development and assay validation for novel biomarkers, development of tissue and fluid-based biomarkers, and GLP and GCP biomarker assessments.

ADME Assay

At NorthEast BioLab, we utilize in vitro and in vivo ADME studies to evaluate the dosage regimen, administration routes, and safety assessment of the drug on different types of species. A dedicated study is developed by our lab analysts to cater to the requirements of your program.

Immunogenicity Testing Assay

Our scientists assess the immunogenicity of a drug product, which evaluates the formation of anti-drug antibodies and persistence of neutralizing fraction of anti-drug antibodies. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer various services in immunogenicity testing including ADA screening, titration, and isotyping.

Cell-Based Proliferation Viability Assay

NorthEast BioLab has the capability of developing various cell-based proliferation viability assay for metabolic activity analysis, DNA replication, antigen recognition, proliferation markers, membrane integrity, and ATP measurements. Our services in this domain include signaling and secretion, apoptosis and cell death, and cell proliferation assay.

Cytotoxicity Testing Assay

NorthEast BioLab’s scientists perform a series of cytotoxicity testing to control the quality of assay development and drug testing along with the manufacturing process. An entire range of dosage of a drug compound is analyzed to understand the toxicity of a drug on living organisms.

Why Choose NorthEast Biolab for your Bioanalytical Assay Development and Validation?

At NorthEast Biolab we understand the pivotal significance of bioanalytical assays in drug discovery and development, measuring the efficacy and safety profile of the drug compound. Thus, our scientists develop reliable bioanalytical methods suitable for the various stages of drug development. Our bioanalytical services are focused on a quick evaluation of your samples so that bioanalytical method development can be initiated per feasibility, preclinical, assay validation, and clinical requirements.

We widely utilize the LC-MS-MS method, which is best suited for small molecule compounds, without the necessity of extensive sample preparation. In this case, a suitable mass spectrometry setup is chosen based on the required sensitivity of the assay. Calibration range of the assay is chosen based on the expected concentration in study samples to minimize reanalysis. Finally, our team offers you outstanding support such that the project-critical deadlines can be met utilizing robust techniques and scalable technological platforms.