When Mass Isn't Enough: MS/MS For Confident Sialic Acid ID

Confident identification of sialic acids is essential in late‑stage biologics development, where even small uncertainties in glycan profiling can jeopardize safety and regulatory timelines. Isobaric species such as NGNA+Fuc or NANA+Gal often share the same mass as NGNA, making traditional MS unable to distinguish between safe and potentially immunogenic structures.

The case featured here demonstrates how MS/MS delivers the structural clarity required for high‑stakes decisions. By generating unique fragmentation patterns — true molecular fingerprints — MS/MS separates lookalike ions and confirms whether a product contains human‑compatible NANA or problematic NGNA. This level of resolution allows developers to rule out immunogenic risk, strengthen regulatory submissions, and reinforce internal quality confidence.

For teams advancing complex biologics, accessing MS/MS‑based structural confirmation helps ensure that glycan profiles are not only measured accurately but understood with the certainty required for approval.