Agilent's AdvanceBio Gly-X technology is an advanced N-glycan sample preparation platform designed to simplify and speed up workflows. N-glycan characterisation is crucial in biotherapeutic development, as the structure of N-linked glycans can impact the function of glycosylated therapeutics, making glycosylation a critical quality attribute (CQA).

N-glycan analysis involves labelling released glycans with a tag to enable detection by fluorescence (FLD), and to improve ionisation for mass spectrometry (MS). Gly-X technology enhances analytical sensitivity and increases sample throughput with three labelling dye options:

• InstantPC - delivers enhanced sensitivity for both MS and HILIC-FLD separations with a sample prep time of ~1 hour
• 2-AB Express - a well-established dye now featuring simplified on-matrix labelling, with a sample prep time of 2 hours
• InstantAB - the original instant labelling dye, offering rapid labelling in 1 hour, though now surpassed by InstantPC

This technology boosts throughput and sensitivity with innovative workflows and a vacuum plate cleanup that removes excess label and denaturant. It is a valuable tool for analysing N-glycans, helping to understand the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins.