Improvements in the Chromatographic Performance of Antiviral Compounds Analyzed with MaxPeak HPS Technology

Significance of the Topic

Accurate and reliable chromatographic analysis of antiviral pharmaceuticals is critical for monitoring drug purity, stability, and the presence of low-level impurities or degradation products. Enhanced sensitivity and peak fidelity directly impact quality control and regulatory compliance, especially for compounds under expedited development during public health emergencies such as COVID-19.

Study Objectives and Overview

This application note compares the chromatographic performance of two reversed-phase HPLC columns for a panel of twelve antiviral compounds. The aim is to evaluate how MaxPeak High Performance Surface (HPS) technology, implemented in the XBridge Premier BEH C18 column, improves retention, peak shape, and signal-to-noise over a conventional stainless-steel XBridge BEH C18 column.

Methodology and Instrumentation

A mixture of twelve antivirals was divided into two sets based on solubility: six water-soluble (tenofovir, favipiravir, emtricitabine, ribavirin, abacavir, oseltamivir) and six methanol-soluble (masitinib, darunavir, remdesivir, atazanavir, ritonavir, lopinavir). Standard injection volume, flow rate, gradient, and temperature conditions were maintained to minimize bias. Key instrumentation included:

• ACQUITY Arc System with Quaternary Solvent Manager, Sample Manager, Column Manager
• Empower 3 Chromatography Data Software
• ACQUITY Photodiode Array Detector (UV 245 nm)
• XBridge Premier BEH C18, 2.5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm (MaxPeak HPS)
• XBridge BEH C18 XP, 2.5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm (stainless steel)

Mobile phases consisted of 10 mM ammonium formate (pH 4.0) and acetonitrile, with a gradient from 2 % to 95 % organic over 15 minutes.

Results and Discussion

All twelve antivirals were successfully resolved. Water-soluble compounds eluted within the first nine minutes, while organic-soluble analytes followed. The MaxPeak HPS column delivered consistently higher peak heights, leading to improved signal-to-noise ratios. Peak symmetry was enhanced, as evidenced by reduced peak width at 5 σ across all analytes. These improvements reflect minimized metal-analyte interactions and greater surface inertness.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Use of the MaxPeak HPS surface eliminates the need for strong ion-pairing reagents, chelators, or extensive column passivation protocols. Laboratories achieve higher sensitivity and more robust peak shapes with straightforward method transfer, supporting routine QA/QC and advanced method development for antiviral and other metal-sensitive compounds.

Future Trends and Applications

Advances in hybrid surface technologies are expected to expand into broader classes of biomolecules and small-molecule drugs. Integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry workflows will further enhance detection limits. Continued development of corrosion-resistant materials and novel stationary phases will drive faster, more sensitive, and more reliable chromatographic assays in pharmaceutical and clinical research.

Conclusion

The XBridge Premier BEH C18 column featuring MaxPeak HPS technology demonstrates superior performance for the analysis of antiviral compounds. Increased peak height, sharper peak profiles, and higher signal-to-noise ratios were achieved without additional mobile phase additives or column conditioning, offering a streamlined solution for high-precision antiviral analysis.

Reference

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4. Kausar S, Khan FS, Rehman MIMU, et al. Mechanism of Action of Antiviral Drugs: A Review. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2021;35:1–12.
5. ChemSpider. 2D Structure Database. Accessed September 20, 2021.
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