Headlines:
- Xevo™ CDMS facilitates direct, accurate mass detection for the largest, most heterogeneous
biomolecules.1
- Enables accurate analysis of protein complexes, nucleic acids, and gene delivery vehicles, including
distinguishing between empty, partial, full, and overfull viral vector capsids in less than 10
minutes per sample.2
- Decreases sample volumes by 100 times vs. current methods for assessing cells and nucleic
acids.3
MILFORD, Mass., Oct. 13, 2025
/PRNewswire/ -- Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today unveiled the Waters Xevo Charge Detection Mass Spectrometer (CDMS), delivering
unmatched measurement and characterization for the broadest range of mega-mass biomolecules central to
next-generation therapeutics and structural biology. With the rapid growth of cell and gene therapies, mRNA,
and complex protein therapeutics, scientists face significant challenges in analyzing increasingly large and
heterogeneous drug modalities – yet existing tools are limited in resolution, sensitivity, and
compliance-readiness. The Xevo CDMS System addresses these gaps with direct, individual-particle mass
measurement for molecules up to 150+ MDa, enabling previously unattainable analysis of protein
complexes, nucleic acids, lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors, and more.
Waters Xevo CDMS delivers unmatched characterization for mega-mass biomolecules central to next-generation
therapies.
"Waters continues to make strategic investments in large molecules, recognizing that advanced tools for
bioanalytical characterization play a critical role in driving therapeutic breakthroughs. Today, we are
proud to introduce the first-of-its-kind Xevo Charge Detection Mass Spectrometer, enabling the precise
analysis of previously unmeasurable molecules," said Udit Batra, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive
Officer, Waters Corporation. "We believe the Xevo CDMS will accelerate the global development of genetic
medicines and other advanced modalities by providing a greater understanding of the characteristics of large
molecules earlier in development, which is crucial for making life-changing therapies more accessible to
patients."
The Waters Xevo CDMS provides confident analysis of new modalities, like empty, partial, and full viral
vector capsids, using up to 100-fold less sample volume than that required by current techniques, and
delivering results in less than ten minutes, even at concentrations as low as 1010 vp/mL.
This new capability paves the way for real-time characterization of gene therapies during process
development – ultimately improving the safety and efficacy of advanced therapies. Additionally, CDMS
absolves the need for deconvolution or digestion approaches to achieve simple and accurate analysis of
complex molecules. This transformational mass spectrometry advancement supports a wide range of applications
– from discovery and research, through process development, to regulatory approval and manufacturing.
"Our mission is to accelerate the development of gene therapies for genetically mediated cardiovascular
diseases and Alzheimer's, where there is a significant unmet need in treatment options," said Timothy Fenn,
Ph.D., Vice President, Analytical Development and Quality Control, Lexeo Therapeutics. "With CDMS, we're
asking questions we didn't know we could ask. It's a game-changer for our analytical workflows, enabling us
to generate accurate, reproducible results in minutes."
At the heart of the Xevo CDMS is the Electrostatic Linear Ion Trap (ELIT), which provides direct measurement
of individual ions through simultaneous measurement of their mass-to-charge ratio and mass. The novel
technology was developed by Indiana University and Megadalton Solutions, founded by Distinguished Professors
Martin Jarrold and David Clemmer at Indiana University. Waters acquired the technology assets and
intellectual property rights of Indiana University in 2022 to accelerate its path to commercialization.
The Waters Xevo CDMS System is powered by the GxP-ready waters_connect™ Software and is available to order
now.
ABOUT:
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in analytical
instruments, separations technologies, and software, serving the life, materials, food, and environmental
sciences for over 65 years. Our Company helps ensure the efficacy of medicines, the safety of food and the
purity of water, and the quality and sustainability of products used every day. In over 100 countries, our
7,600+ passionate employees collaborate with customers in laboratories, manufacturing sites, and hospitals
to accelerate the benefits of pioneering science.
Waters, Xevo, and waters_connect are trademarks of Waters Technologies Corporation.
Additional Resources:
Contact:
Molly Gluck
Head of External Communications
Waters Corporation
molly_gluck@waters.com
Mobile: +1.617.833.8166
References:
1
Demonstrated mass analysis on-instrument of various molecular species from <100 kDa to
Chikungunya Virus complexes of >150 MDa.
2 Time taken to acquire a statistically representative number of ions to enable
characterization of AAV features.
3 Indicative of amount of sample required for sample preparation. Actual sample
consumed during analysis is <5 µL.
SOURCE Waters Corporation