Host Cell Protein Analysis

Identify and quantify host cell protein contaminants

Host cell proteins (HCPs) are low-level, process-related protein impurities in drug products derived from the host organism during biotherapeutic manufacturing. During expression of a recombinant protein drug, host cell systems can express many endogenous proteins. Purification of the drug from these HCP contaminants can be challenging, with low-level contamination remaining after purification. Host cell proteins (HCPs) accompanied with recombinant biotherapeutics can significantly affect drug efficacy and cause immunogenicity. Detection and quantification of residual HCPs as potential process-related impurities is critical for biopharmaceutical companies in accordance with regulatory agency guidelines (ICH Q6B).

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Choose an instrument for host cell protein analysis

 Orbitrap Exploris 480 Mass SpectrometerOrbitrap Exploris 240 Mass Spectrometer
 Orbitrap Exploris 480 Mass SpectrometerOrbitrap Exploris 240 Mass Spectrometer
AdvantagesExtraordinary simplified within a compact footprint where next level exploration delivers quantifiable accuracy and the selectivity required to comprehensively identify and quantify host cell protein contaminants.Realize complete BioPharma characterization and identify, quantify and confirm more host cell proteins rapidly and with confidence.
Resolving power480,000 at m/z 195Up to 240,000 at m/z 200
Scan speedUp to 40Hz22Hz
Mass range40 to 6,000 m/z (up to 8,000 m/z with the BioPharma option)4 to 8,000 m/z
Dynamic range>5000:1>5000:1
Mass accuracyInternal <1 ppm RMS; External: <3 ppm RMSInternal <1 ppm RMS; External: <3 ppm RMS


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The LC-MS are not intended for in vitro diagnostic purposes in accordance with our product documentation, manuals, and labels. They are designated for General Laboratory Use Only.

Our Products have not been tested or validated for such applications and their use for in vitro diagnostic purposes may result in inaccurate results and, more seriously, health and safety risks. They are designated for Research Use Only Applications.

General Laboratory Equipment – Not For Diagnostic Procedures. © 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. Thermo Scientific™ products are designated as General Laboratory Equipment and are not intended for use in diagnostic procedures or for in vitro diagnostic purposes. These products are intended for general laboratory use only and have not been tested or validated for diagnostic applications; use for such purposes may result in inaccurate results and may pose health and safety risks. They are designed for research, academic, and industrial applications and for general-purpose analytical use, including high-resolution and accurate-mass measurements, without reference to specific clinical conditions, analytes, or diagnostic decisions.

The Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris and Excedion series mass spectrometers are Orbitrap instruments with an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source for liquid chromatography (LC) mass spectrometry (MS) high-throughput applications. The instruments are designed to be placed on a bench in the laboratory and maintain mass accuracy across chromatographic peaks, supporting confident identification and quantitation using high-resolution accurate-mass detection.