New MS platforms advance proteomics and biopharma

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched two high-performance mass spectrometers at ASMS 2025: the Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Astral™ Zoom and the Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Excedion™ Pro. Both systems offer significant gains in speed, sensitivity, and analytical depth for researchers working in proteomics, omics, and biologics development.

The Orbitrap Astral Zoom builds on the original Astral platform with 35% faster scan speeds, 40% higher throughput, and improved multiplexing capabilities. These upgrades enhance data quality and enable deeper proteome coverage - features welcomed by researchers working on early disease detection and precision oncology.

According to Dr Yu-Ju Chen of Academia Sinica, the Astral Zoom could mark “a paradigm shift for proteomics,” enabling more comprehensive biomarker discovery in clinical research.

Meanwhile, the Orbitrap Excedion Pro brings together next-generation Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometry with new fragmentation methods to improve the analysis of complex biologics, including monoclonal antibodies. With greater dynamic range and resolution, the system supports detailed profiling of proteins and post-translational modifications - critical for accelerating biologic drug development.

Both instruments were unveiled at the American Society for Mass Spectrometry’s annual meeting in Baltimore. Alongside the launches, Thermo Fisher highlighted its broader ecosystem for protein research, including affinity-based proteomics technologies from Olink.

More information online