An Ultrafast and Flexible LC-MS/MS System Paves the Way for Machine Learning Driven Sample Processing and Data Evaluation in Early Drug Discovery

Rationale: Low speed and flexibility of most LC-MS/MS approaches in early drug discovery delays sample analysis from routine in vivo studies within the same day of measurements. A highthroughput platform for the rapid quantification of drug compounds in various in vivo assays was developed and established in routine bioanalysis. Methods: Automated selection of an efficient and adequate LC method was realized by autonomous sample qualification for ultrafast batch gradients (9 s/sample) or for fast linear gradients (45 s/sample) if samples require chromatography. The hardware and software components of our Rapid and Integrated Analysis System (RIAS) were streamlined for increased analytical throughput via state-of-the-art automation while keeping high analytical quality. Results: Online decision-making was based on a quick assay suitability test (AST) based on a small and dedicated sample set evaluated by two different strategies. 84% of the acquired data points were within ±30% accuracy and 93% of the deviations between the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) values were ≤2-fold compared to standard LC-MS/MS systems while speed, flexibility and overall automation was significantly improved. Conclusions: The developed platform provided an analysis time of only 10 min (batch-mode) and 50 min (gradient-mode) per standard pharmacokinetic (PK) study (62 injections). Automation, data evaluation and results handling were optimized to pave the way for machine learning based decision-making regarding the evaluation strategy of the AST