Bioanalysis of Cannabinoids
Precise Cannabinoid PK. From Early Pre-Clinical to GCP.
Bespoke LC-MS/MS assays for CBD, THC, and their metabolites across multiple species and matrices, with sensitivity down to 0.125 ng/mL.
Cannabinoid Bioanalysis: Why It Demands a Specialist
Cannabinoids are a chemically complex class of therapeutics. CBD, THC, and their metabolites are highly lipophilic, meaning they bind readily to plasma proteins, labware surfaces, and collection vessels in ways that can compromise recovery and reproducibility if not actively managed from the outset.
Their structural similarity creates a further challenge: discriminating between parent compounds and closely related metabolites requires high-resolution, highly selective LC-MS/MS methods, not generic assays.
Add to this the variability in endogenous cannabinoid levels across species and matrices, the instability of certain metabolites during sample handling, and the absence of a single harmonized regulatory framework for cannabinoid studies across markets, and it becomes clear that cannabinoid bioanalysis rewards experience.
Resolian’s LC-MS team has built that experience across years of cannabinoid program work, from early preclinical studies in rat, mouse, and dog through to regulated GCP clinical trials.
Our Cannabinoid Bioanalysis Capabilities
We develop and validate bespoke LC-MS/MS assays tailored to the specific requirements of each cannabinoid program. Our methods cover CBD, THC, and their primary metabolites, with multi-analyte panels measuring up to 8 analytes in a single analysis run. Sensitivity routinely reaches 0.125 ng/mL, supporting the low-concentration measurement demands of PK studies in complex biological matrices.
Our assay development process addresses the specific challenges of cannabinoid bioanalysis directly: non-specific binding is assessed and mitigated through careful selection of sample collection and storage conditions, extraction techniques are optimized for lipophilic analytes across plasma, urine, and tissue matrices, and stability testing is built in as standard to protect sample integrity from collection through analysis.
In addition to bespoke method development, Resolian holds a portfolio of proprietary validated methods across a range of species and matrices, which may be available to support your programme without the lead time of full development.
Integrated Support from Pre-Clinical to GCP
Cannabinoid bioanalysis does not sit in isolation. Resolian’s integrated service connects method development and sample analysis with PK/TK parameter analysis, regulatory-aligned reporting, and clinical sample logistics support, giving you a single partner from first pre-clinical dose to GCP study completion.
Ready to develop a validated cannabinoid bioanalysis method for your study?
Partner with an LC-MS team that brings specialist cannabinoid expertise, multi-analyte capability,
and a proven track record from early-stage rodent studies through regulated GCP clinical trials.
Our Bioanalytics Resources
Case Studies
Measuring What Matters: High-Precision Plasma Protein Binding Assessment for Highly Bound Compounds Under ICH M12
Case Studies
Solving Carboplatin: A Novel LC-MS/MS Assay for Intact Drug Quantitation in Human Plasma
Blog, Publications
When AI Meets Experimental Biology: Supporting Breakthrough Peptide Research
Case Studies
Developing and Validating a Simple, Rapid LC-MS/MS Method for Semaglutide in Human Plasma
