Waters Corporation today announced the launch of Waters omniDAWN™ Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Photometer, part of the Wyatt Technology Portfolio. Featuring 18 detection angles, the omniDAWN photometer is the first extended-range MALS detector for Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) workflows, providing absolute molecular mass and size measurements without compromising resolution or throughput.
The omniDAWN MALS photometer extends UPLC-compatible size tenfold, enabling reliable characterization of more complex analytes, including large molecules and advanced materials.
The omniDAWN MALS photometer extends the UPLC-compatible size tenfold, from approximately 50 to 500 nm in radius, enabling reliable characterization of larger, more complex analytes such as protein aggregates, viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and advanced materials. Because it provides absolute molecular mass and size, the omniDAWN photometer reduces reliance on column calibration standards and supports faster results and more confident comparisons, streamlining work in biosimilarity studies, antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) characterization, and viral vector analyses. As these methods and other advanced treatments move toward late-stage development and quality control, laboratories increasingly rely on UHPLC and UPLC systems to meet increasing throughput and analysis demands.
Advances in UHPLC and UPLC separations for complex biologicals and newer methods have outpaced detector technology until now, the omniDAWN MALS photometer brings multi-angle extended range light scattering to modern separations. This means our customers can move faster while maintaining the resolution, robustness and depth of characterization needed to accelerate the discovery, development and quality control of next-generation therapies.”
Rob Carpio, Senior Vice President, Waters Analytical Sciences, Waters Corporation
Integrating seamlessly with Waters UPLC systems and columns, the omniDAWN photometer eliminates traditional trade-offs between dispersion, robustness and analytical performance, providing a comprehensive solution for multi-trait characterization with improved usability compared to micro-volume MALS approaches. When combined with UHPLC or UPLC systems, the omniDAWN photometer supports run times up to four times faster than conventional HPLC workflows, while reducing sample consumption by 30-50% and solvent use by approximately 40%. Its low-dispersion design maintains resolution and sensitivity while providing high-quality data on complex samples. Sharper separations enhance detection of low-level species, helping scientists distinguish monomers, aggregates and fragments with greater clarity, supporting informed decision making in discovery, development and quality workflows.
“Extending multi-angle light scattering capabilities to UHPLC and UPLC analysis will enable absolute molecular mass measurements, coupled with faster and more flexible separations. This represents a critical leap forward in MALS-based analyses, enabling us to better understand the structure of complex materials across drug delivery and nanotechnology applications.” said Stacey Louie, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston.
The omniDAWN photometer is powered by ASTRA™ Software, based on more than 40 years of light scattering innovation. Integrating MALS with ultraviolet (UV) and refractive index (RI) detection, ASTRA software enables comprehensive analysis of size, composition and heterogeneity in a single run, with dedicated workflows for ADC, LNP and viral vectors. The platform is 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 compliant and will be compatible with Waters Empower™ Software later this year.
The Waters omniDAWN MALS photometer will be available worldwide in summer 2026.
