MOBILion Systems, a leader in separation science innovation, is set to unveil advancements in its proprietary SLIM™ technology at the 74th Annual American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) conference in San Diego, CA, from May 31st to June 4, 2026. The company aims to demonstrate how SLIM high-resolution ion mobility is transforming mass spectrometry data across diverse applications, from PFAS analysis to proteomics and clinical research.
SLIM’s Evolution from Concept to Commercialization
Founded in 2017, MOBILion Systems traces its origins to a “sketch on a piece of paper” and a partnership with IP Group, an early-stage technology investor. Melissa Sherman, Ph.D., founder and CEO, described the journey as one of “growing something from nothing” after her corporate career in technology, regenerative medicine, and the apparel industry. The company’s breakthrough came through IP Group’s collaboration with research institutes, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where Richard Smith and his team developed structures for lossless ion manipulation (SLIM). This platform became the foundation for MOBILion’s first high-resolution ion mobility (HRIM) product, MOBIE, launched at ASMS 2021.
“MOBILion’s mission has always been to reveal what conventional LCMS workflows leave unseen,” Sherman said, emphasizing the company’s focus on enabling “cleaner, faster, and more information-rich mass spectrometry data.” The CEO highlighted SLIM’s potential to improve performance across all detector classes, positioning it as a “portfolio-defining platform” for mass spectrometry vendors.
Technical Advancements and Market Positioning
MOBILion’s SLIM-enabled platform strategy targets three key opportunities: a QTOF configuration optimized for proteomics, a QTOF integration for non-proteomics workflows, and a new SLIM-enabled QQQ mode of operation called PAMAT. These innovations aim to enhance ion utilization, reduce interferences, and deliver industry-leading sensitivity and robustness. The PAMAF™ configuration, for instance, is designed to improve proteome and PTM coverage with greater sensitivity, speed, and accuracy.
At the ASMS conference, MOBILion will showcase SLIM through customer presentations, scientific posters, and seminars. The company’s efforts reflect a broader industry shift toward rethinking traditional mass spectrometry workflows. “We are seeing new technologies reshape the way MS/MS data can be acquired,” noted Sherman in a LinkedIn post, pointing to approaches like PAMAF that “push beyond the classical quadrupole-centered logic of precursor selection.”
Broader Implications for Mass Spectrometry
The adoption of SLIM underscores a growing debate about the future of mass spectrometry. While proteomics has become the “ultimate arena” for vendors competing on instrument specifications, other fields like metabolomics and environmental analysis prioritize different metrics, such as fragmentation clarity and structural elucidation. “Speed is only one part of the equation,” a source familiar with the technology said, highlighting the need for hardware evolution that addresses diverse analytical challenges.
MOBILion’s SLIM technology is also positioned to challenge established players in the mass spectrometry market. By integrating upstream of mass spectrometry, SLIM aims to redefine portfolios from low- to high-resolution systems, offering a “route to redefine an entire mass spectrometry portfolio” rather than focusing on single workflows or product lines. This strategy aligns with industry trends toward more versatile and scalable solutions.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026 and Beyond
As MOBILion prepares for its ASMS 2026 showcase, the company’s success will hinge on its ability to demonstrate SLIM’s versatility across applications. The technology’s potential to improve data quality and throughput could reshape how labs approach complex analyses, from drug discovery to clinical diagnostics. However, challenges remain, including the need to validate SLIM’s performance in non-proteomics workflows and compete with entrenched technologies like Orbitrap.
For now, MOBILion’s focus is on “redefining an entire mass spectrometry portfolio,” as Sherman put it. With SLIM at its core, the company aims to position itself as a key player in the next decade of mass spectrometry innovation. “The hardware evolution driving this is fundamentally changing how we acquire data,” she added, signaling a shift toward more adaptive and information-rich analytical tools.
Source 1 | Source 2 | Source MOBILion Systems' efforts to integrate SLIM into its existing mass spectrometry portfolio and develop new technologies like BILLIE are expected to redefine the landscape of separation science in the coming decade.
