Our recap of the advanced biophysical characterization techniques webinar series

Our webinar series on advanced biophysical characterization techniques, hosted in collaboration with Xenocs and Novo Nordisk, highlighted innovative technologies that unlock deeper insights into the structure and stability of biopharmaceuticals.

Each session explored how techniques like small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) can complement more established tools to ensure drug stability and efficacy applied to different biopharmaceutical modalities. If you haven’t yet had a chance to catch the whole series, don’t worry – we’ve written a recap just for you!

Webinar series overview

• Webinar 1: Key tools for understanding drug efficacy and stability
• Webinar 2: Complementary techniques for biopharmaceutical characterization of peptides and protein-based drug products
• Webinar 3: Elucidating RNA-based therapeutics with advanced techniques

Foundational techniques for biophysical characterization

The first webinar introduced the foundational tools for biophysical characterization, exploring the role of SAXS in understanding drug properties at the nanoscale.

We examined how combining biophysical characterization techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with SAXS technology enhances stability profiling, formulation development, and nanoparticle characterization, streamlining drug discovery, formulation development and quality control processes.

Key takeaways:

• Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is an analytical technique that identifies the nanoscale structural features of a sample. It does this by passing X-rays through the sample and measuring the scattered beams at small angles between 0.1° and 5°.
• Understanding your drug’s nanoscale structural features helps you optimize the conditions that promote better drug behavior, for instance, more efficient release of RNA from LNPs.
• Combining Malvern Panalytical’s biophysical technology with Xenocs’ SAXS technology enables more comprehensive biophysical characterization with a high throughput and without the need for a synchrotron particle accelerator.

Systematic optimization of conditions that promote better behavior is hindered without internal structural information, if you’re only relying on the more traditional techniques or other structural characterization methods that do not have the same high throughput capabilities as SAXS.

Søren Skou, Managing Director of Xenocs Nordic

Complementary techniques for biopharmaceutical characterization

Building on the foundation set in the first webinar, this session explored how SAXS complements biophysical methods like dynamic light scattering (DLS) and size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS).  These ideas were brought to life by Dr Alina Kulakova, a Senior Research Scientist at Novo Nordisk, who shared a case study on the use of these techniques to research the self-association and aggregation patterns of human insulin, providing actionable insights for formulation optimization.

Dr Kulakova also shared workflows designed to overcome the limitations of more commonly used techniques and achieve a deeper understanding of biopharmaceutical behavior, stability, and aggregation tendencies.

Key takeaways:

• DLS and SEC-MALS can play complementary roles in characterizing particle size and molecular weight in heterogeneous samples.
• SAXS is a robust complement to these techniques, offering structural insights into particle shape, flexibility, and molecular interactions.
• Automated SAXS systems, such as Xenocs’ lab-based solutions, make high-throughput screening possible, greatly enhancing early-stage drug development.

Limited sample availability and unknown buffer conditions often require adaptive techniques, making SAXS indispensable.

Dr. Alina Kulakova, Novo Nordisk

Elucidating RNA-based therapeutics with advanced techniques

In this final webinar, the focus shifted to RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, emphasizing the critical role of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) characterization in ensuring their stability and efficacy.

Malvern Panalytical and Xenocs characterization experts presented how SAXS, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and DLS outline a comprehensive approach to understanding LNP structure and functional performance throughout the manufacturing and application stages.

They also presented a case study highlighting SAXS’s ability to identify structural differences in LNPs under varying pH conditions, underscoring its sensitivity and precision.

Key takeaways:

• RNA therapeutics and vaccines rely on precise structural characterization of LNPs to ensure safety and efficacy.
• Techniques such as SAXS, DSC, and DLS provide detailed insights into LNP size distribution, stability, and structural properties.
• SAXS detects variations in lipid organization and phase transitions, while DSC evaluates thermal stability, streamlining evaluations across processing stages.

Using SAXS and DSC in tandem provides unparalleled insights into structural changes critical for therapeutic consistency.

Josue San Emeterio, Xenocs

Elevate and accelerate your analysis

This series highlighted the transformative role of SAXS in modern biophysical characterization. By integrating SAXS with methods like DLS, ELS, and DSC, researchers can gain a holistic understanding of the properties or biopharmaceutical samples (including proteins, peptides and lipid nanoparticles), reducing variability and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Watch the webinars to explore practical applications and expert recommendations for implementing these technologies in your workflows.

For more information or to schedule a demo of the techniques discussed, please get in touch with our technology experts.