The pace of scientific discovery is no longer governed solely by the physical limits of manual experimentation. We are currently witnessing a shift that is as transformative as the invention of the microscope itself. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced metabolomics are reshaping how science is conducted, moving research from a “trial-and-error” model to a predictive, data-driven discipline. By combining high-resolution analytical hardware with machine learning, laboratories can now solve complex biological challenges – such as developing animal-free culture media – with unprecedented speed.

The complexity of the modern workflow

In the fast-evolving landscape of biopharmaceuticals and cell biology, the reliance on traditional methods often leads to significant hurdles. For decades, the industry has relied on fetal bovine serum (FBS) to supplement cell culture media, despite its high costs, ethical concerns, and inherent inconsistency.

Many lab teams find themselves buried under mountains of raw data from complex matrices, struggling to identify which specific molecular components actually drive performance.

When dealing with undefined raw ingredients, such as plant and microbial extracts, understanding chemical composition is critical to ensuring batch-to-batch reproducibility and process continuity when scaling.

From raw peaks to actionable insights

The challenge in modern labs isn’t a lack of data; it is the complexity of interpreting high-dimensional datasets. Manual analysis of thousands of formulations is no longer feasible. As regulatory requirements for biologics become more stringent, the demand for defined, reproducible, and regulatory-compliant media has grown.

Advanced metabolomics provides the molecular profiling required to qualify raw materials, while AI handles the broad combinatorial screening. This synergy allows researchers to tailor media composition to specific cell lines, improving yield and efficiency across the drug development lifecycle.

Industry efforts have evolved towards comprehensive analytical workflows that enable researchers to monitor critical quality attributes (CQAs) of highly complex and diverse biotherapeutic molecules.

Part 2: A Deeper Dive into Bioseparations

In the second session of this series we will discuss the range of bioseparation approaches used for characterization of CQAs in more detail. This includes solutions available for native (Size Exclusion, Ion Exchange, HIC) and reduced state (RP, HILIC) bioseparations for analysis of mAbs and other biotherapeutics.

Speakers

Industry efforts have evolved towards comprehensive analytical workflows that enable researchers to monitor critical quality attributes (CQAs) of highly complex and diverse biotherapeutic molecules.

Part 1: Introduction to Workflows

This presentation will provide an insight into the basics of the biopharma industry and introduce how analytical tools can be utilised as part of comprehensive workflows for characterisation of CQAs.

Speakers

This presentation will include a look at the hardware and software used for the Agilent OnLine LC system.  We will log into a live system to view the setup possibilities and review data acquired on the system.

Speaker