The Science of Stability: LC-MS Analysis of Oligonucleotide Drugs
Mastering Analytics: LC-MS Analysis of Oligonucleotide Drugs
In this episode of Expert Insights, Drug Development & Delivery Managing Editor Cindy Dubin speaks with Dr. Melanie Zerulla-Wernitz, Head of Analytical Science Laboratory at Vetter, about the growing role of LC-MS in oligonucleotide characterization.
Dr. Zerulla-Wernitz explains why oligonucleotide therapeutics — despite more than 200 ongoing clinical trials — remain difficult to analyze due to their instability in the body and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. She details how LC-MS’s combination of high-resolution separation and precise mass detection makes it uniquely capable of confirming sequence integrity and localizing chemical modifications, even amid challenges like poor ionization efficiency and adduct formation.
The conversation also covers how labs should select the right instrument for their specific analytical needs, LC-MS’s role in early-stage development and impurity detection, and alternative identification methods available when LC-MS isn’t accessible.
Watch the full episode now!
Connect with Vetter and learn more about their Analytical Testing Services here: https://www.vetter-pharma.com/en/services/analytical-services/.
Dr. Melanie Zerulla-Wernitz is the Head of the Analytical Science Laboratory at Vetter. She is responsible for a diverse team of excellent scientists combining various natural and applied sciences. She holds a PhD in natural science from the University of Konstanz, Germany. After many years in preclinical development, Dr. Zerulla-Wernitz joined Vetter Pharma in 2004. Her career started in the quality control department and led her into the Development Service. With a one-year excursion to Vetter’s Development Service in Chicago, she is continuing to lead the Analytical Science Laboratory and constantly working on the enlargement of its service and analytical portfolio.
Posted Date: 7/27/2026
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