As oral peptides, targeted conjugates, and non-animal testing gain momentum, Todd Stawicki outlines why analytical science has become central to modern pharmaceutical development.
Drug delivery is entering a period of rapid reinvention, driven as much by analytical innovation as by molecular design. In this BioPharma BoardRoom interview, Todd Stawicki, Senior Global Market Development Manager for Pharma at SCIEX, examines how mass spectrometry is enabling breakthroughs ranging from orally deliverable peptide and mRNA therapies to increasingly sophisticated conjugation strategies that precisely target drugs where they are needed most. He also discusses the industry’s accelerating shift toward in vitro models and new approach methodologies, as regulators move to reduce reliance on animal testing. Together, these advances signal a fundamental transformation in how medicines are developed—prioritizing patient accessibility, scientific precision, and ethical responsibility.
How is mass spectrometry enabling new drug delivery strategies such as oral mRNA and conjugates? And how will these analytical advances reshape pharmaceutical development by 2026?
While there’s a lot of attention on mRNA delivery right now, what I find equally excited is the rapid progress in orally deliverable peptide therapeutics. An important milestone was set when the FDA approved the first orally available GLP‑1 drug—the Wegovy pill.
What makes this so significant is that semaglutide itself wasn’t structurally modified to become orally available. Instead, the innovation comes from pairing it with a small‑molecule absorption enhancer called SNAC—sodium N‑(8‑[2‑hydroxybenzoyl] amino) caprylate. SNAC works by locally increasing the stomach’s pH and temporarily making lipid membranes more permeable, enabling semaglutide to pass through the gastric lining and enter circulation. Importantly, SNAC has been recognized as safe since 2014, and it’s part of a broader class of medium‑chain lipid‑based enhancers that could potentially be tuned to support oral delivery of many different peptide drugs.
The success of oral semaglutide signals a major shift. Peptide therapeutics have traditionally required injections. But with technologies like SNAC, we’re entering a future where peptide pills may become more available—improving patient comfort, adherence, and accessibility.
In short, the door has now opened for a new generation of orally available peptide medicines. And that’s a very exciting development for the entire field.
What role does analytical science play in the shift toward in vitro models and reduced animal testing?
The FDA’s 2025 announcement on “Phase Out Animal Testing Requirement for Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Drugs” stated that, "Companies that submit strong safety data from non-animal tests may receive streamlined review, as the need for certain animal studies is eliminated, which would incentivize investment in modernized testing platforms." The UK’s MHRA also made a similar move in 2025.
These decisions mark a historic turning point, putting NAMs (new approach methodologies) in the spotlight. The industry may see a rise in cell and tissue model work for predicting drug candidates metabolism and clearance. This transition may drive an increase in ADME and biotransformation (metID) workflows. Analytical tools directly enable this transition. Technologies like EAD provide the detailed structural information needed for high‑confidence metabolite identification, while high‑throughput solutions, such as Echo® MS+ system, support the rapid ADME screening required.
