Waters Debuts Industry-First Extended-Range MALS Detector for UHPLC/UPLC, Powering Rapid Characterization of Large Molecules

Waters (NYSE: WAT) launched the omniDAWN Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Photometer, the first extended-range MALS detector for UHPLC/UPLC workflows, available globally in summer 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

Waters (NYSE: WAT) launched the omniDAWN Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Photometer, the first extended-range MALS detector for UHPLC/UPLC workflows, available globally in summer 2026. The 18-angle detector enables up to 4x faster run times, 10x extended sizing (~50–500 nm radius), and reduces sample use by 30–50% and solvent use by ~40%.

Powered by ASTRA Software and integrating UV and RI detection, omniDAWN delivers absolute molar mass and size measurements for aggregates, viral vectors, LNPs, ADCs, and advanced materials; Empower compatibility is planned later this year.

Positive

• Run times up to 4x faster versus conventional HPLC workflows
• Sizing extended 10x to ~50–500 nm radius for larger analytes
• Sample consumption reduced by 30–50%
• Solvent use cut by approximately 40%
• 18-angle detection enables extended-range MALS with absolute molar mass

Negative

• Empower compatibility is delayed until later in the year
• Global availability not until summer 2026, limiting immediate adoption

Argus Apr 14 session

+1.94% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – WAT

On Apr 14, the day this news came out, WAT closed 1.94% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Apr 14 session.

Key Figures

Share price: $324.68 Price change 24h: 1.46% Angles of detection: 18 angles +5 more

Share price

$324.68

Pre-news close, WAT

Price change 24h

1.46%

Move prior to article publication

Angles of detection

18 angles

omniDAWN MALS Photometer configuration

Run time improvement

Up to 4x faster

Chromatographic run times vs conventional HPLC workflows

Molar mass improvement

10x improvement

Absolute molar mass and extended sizing capability

Sample reduction

30–50% less sample

Sample consumption vs conventional workflows

Solvent reduction

≈40% less solvent

Solvent use vs conventional workflows

Sizing range

≈50–500 nm radius

UPLC-compatible sizing range enabled by omniDAWN

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Apr 08

5 events

1. Apr 08

   FDA clearance/approval

   24h Move

   +3.6%

   U.S. FDA clearance and approval for at-home HPV cervical cancer screening tools.

2. Mar 18

   Debt offering

   24h Move

   -0.7%

   $3.5B senior notes offering by Augusta SpinCo to refinance term loan debt.

3. Mar 09

   Product launch

   24h Move

   +1.0%

   Launch of ARES‑G3 Rheometer with higher data rates and faster testing.

4. Feb 23

   Conference appearance

   24h Move

   -0.5%

   Announcement of CEO fireside chat at TD Cowen Health Care Conference.

5. Feb 17

   Product launch

   24h Move

   -0.6%

   Introduction of MaxPeak Premier microflow LC columns cutting sample and solvent use.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

multi-angle light scattering, uhplc, uplc, hplc, +4 more

8 terms

multi-angle light scattering technical

"Waters omniDAWN™ Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Photometer, part of the Wyatt"

Multi-angle light scattering is a laboratory measurement that shines light through a liquid sample and records how the light scatters at several different angles to determine the size, shape and molecular weight of particles or molecules in solution. For investors, it provides objective evidence about a product’s composition, purity and consistency—similar to circling an object with a flashlight to reveal its true form—helping reduce technical and regulatory risk in development and manufacturing.

uhplc technical

"first extended-range MALS detector for Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC)"

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) is a laboratory method that separates and measures the different chemicals in a liquid sample by pushing it quickly through a tightly packed tube — like sending a mixed group of runners through a narrow, high-speed racetrack so you can tell who finishes when. For investors, UHPLC matters because it enables faster, more precise testing of drugs or chemicals, supporting quality control, regulatory approval, shorter production cycles and lower risk of costly recalls or delays.

uplc technical

"for Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)"

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) is a laboratory technique that separates and measures the chemical components of a liquid sample quickly and with high precision. Think of it as a very fine, high-speed sieve that sorts molecules so scientists can identify purity, potency or contaminants. Investors care because UPLC speeds product development, improves quality control and helps firms meet regulatory standards, which can reduce costs and shorten time to market.

hplc technical

"run times up to four times faster than conventional HPLC workflows, while reducing sample"

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a lab method that separates, identifies and measures the individual chemicals in a liquid sample, like sorting mixed beads by size as they pass through a narrow tube. Investors care because HPLC is a routine tool for quality control, purity testing and regulatory compliance in drug, food and chemical manufacturing, so its results affect product approvals, batch releases, production costs and company credibility.

lipid nanoparticles medical

"such as protein aggregates, viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and advanced materials."

Lipid nanoparticles are tiny, fat-like capsules that carry and protect drug molecules or genetic material until they reach target cells, where they help the payload enter and work. Think of them as microscopic delivery trucks or soap bubbles that keep fragile cargo safe and steer it to the right address. Investors care because this delivery technology can make medicines more effective, shape manufacturing costs and capacity, create patent and regulatory value, and influence commercial potential for therapies.

viral vectors medical

"such as protein aggregates, viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and advanced materials."

Viral vectors are tools that use viruses to deliver genetic material into cells, often to modify or influence how those cells function. They are important to investors because they are a key technology in gene therapy and biotechnology, industries that are rapidly growing and could lead to new medical treatments. Their effectiveness and safety influence the success and valuation of biotech companies developing these therapies.

21 cfr part 11 regulatory

"The platform is 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 compliant and will be compatible"

21 CFR Part 11 is a U.S. regulatory rule that sets requirements for how electronic records and electronic signatures must be created, stored and protected so they can be trusted as if they were paper documents. For investors, it matters because companies that handle regulated data—like clinical trial results or manufacturing logs—must meet these controls or face regulatory delays, fines or lost market access; think of it as a lock-and-audit trail for digital paperwork.

eu annex 11 regulatory

"The platform is 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 compliant and will be compatible"

EU Annex 11 is a segment of European pharmaceutical quality rules that sets expectations for how companies design, validate and control computerized systems used in drug development, manufacturing and record‑keeping. Think of it as a safety checklist for the software and automated equipment that stores critical product and batch information; compliance matters to investors because failures can trigger regulatory actions, production shutdowns, costly corrections or damaged market trust.

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• Delivers up to 4x faster chromatographic run times to accelerate decisions across discovery, development, and quality workflows.^1,3
• Achieves 10x improvement in absolute molar mass and extended sizing, without compromising resolution or analytical throughput.²
• Reduces sample consumption by 30-50% and solvent use by approximately 40%.³

MILFORD, Mass., April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today announced the launch of the Waters omniDAWN™ Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Photometer, part of the Wyatt Technology Portfolio. Featuring 18 angles of detection, the omniDAWN Photometer is the first extended-range MALS detector for Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) workflows, delivering absolute molar mass and size measurements without compromising resolution or throughput.

The omniDAWN MALS Photometer extends UPLC-compatible sizing ten-fold, 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 molar mass and size, the omniDAWN Photometer reduces reliance on column calibration standards and supports faster results and more confident comparisons, streamlining work across biosimilarity studies, antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) characterization, and viral vector analytics. As these modalities and other advanced therapeutics move into late-stage development and quality control, laboratories increasingly rely on UHPLC and UPLC Systems to meet rising throughput and resolution requirements.

"Advances in UHPLC and UPLC separations for complex biologics and newer modalities have outpaced detector technology, until now," said Rob Carpio, Senior Vice President, Waters Analytical Sciences, Waters Corporation. "The omniDAWN MALS Photometer brings extended-range multi-angle 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."

Integrating seamlessly with Waters UPLC Systems and columns, the omniDAWN Photometer eliminates traditional trade-offs between dispersion, robustness, and analytical performance, delivering a complete solution for multi-attribute characterization with improved usability² compared to micro‑volume MALS approaches. When paired 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%.^1,3 Its low dispersion design preserves resolution³ and sensitivity,^1,2 while delivering high-quality data across complex samples.^1,2 Sharper separations enhance the detection of low-level species, helping scientists distinguish monomer, aggregates, and fragments with greater clarity, supporting informed decision-making across discovery, development, and quality workflows.

"Extending the capabilities of multi-angle light scattering to UHPLC and UPLC analysis will enable absolute molar mass measurements, paired with faster and more flexible separations. This represents a critical leap forward in MALS-based analyses, empowering us to better understand the structure of complex materials across drug delivery and environmental nanotechnology applications, ultimately supporting improved health outcomes," said Stacey Louie, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston.

The omniDAWN Photometer is powered by ASTRA™ Software, built on more than 40 years of light scattering innovation. By 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 ADCs, LNPs, 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 globally in summer 2026. To learn more or request a demo, visit www.wyatt.com/omniDAWN.

Additional Resources:

• Product Page

Waters, omniDAWN, UPLC, ASTRA, Empower, and Wyatt Technology are trademarks of Waters Corporation or its affiliates. 

About Waters Corporation:

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. For more information, please visit www.waters.com/about.

References: 

1. Comparative column and peak width analysis using UHPLC/UPLC versus HPLC SEC formats; internal evaluation. Source: internal data.
2. Performance and range of 3-angle MALS compared to 18-angle MALS detector across representative analytes. Source: internal data.
3. Performance comparison to conventional HPLC.

Contact: 

Molly Gluck
Head of External Communications
Waters Corporation 
508.498.9732
molly_gluck@waters.com 

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SOURCE Waters Corporation

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What does Waters' omniDAWN launch mean for WAT shareholders on April 14, 2026?

It signals product-line innovation that could support market differentiation and sales growth. According to Waters, omniDAWN brings extended-range MALS to UHPLC/UPLC with commercial availability in summer 2026, targeting high-growth biologics analytics and quality workflows.

How much faster are UPLC run times with the omniDAWN MALS Photometer (WAT)?

UPLC run times can be up to four times faster than HPLC workflows. According to Waters, the low-dispersion, 18-angle design preserves resolution while supporting up to 4x faster chromatographic runs for complex biologics analysis.

What sizing and molar mass improvements does omniDAWN offer for WAT customers?

omniDAWN extends UPLC-compatible sizing roughly ten-fold to about 50–500 nm radius. According to Waters, that enables absolute molar mass and size measurement for aggregates, viral vectors, LNPs, ADCs, and other large analytes.

How does omniDAWN affect sample and solvent consumption for lab workflows at WAT customers?

It reduces sample consumption by 30–50% and solvent use by about 40%. According to Waters, these efficiencies come from UPLC integration and low-dispersion optics, supporting faster throughput and lower per-run resource use.

When will the Waters omniDAWN MALS Photometer be available and software-compatible for WAT users?

The device will be available globally in summer 2026. According to Waters, omniDAWN is powered by ASTRA Software now and will be compatible with Waters Empower Software later this year.