New release Wiley's Mass Spectra of Designer Drugs 2026 expands coverage of emerging novel psychoactive substances

Wiley, a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation and learning, today announced the 2026 release of Mass Spectra of Designer Drugs, the essential GC‑MS spectral database used by forensic laboratories worldwide for the rapid identification of illicit substances.

As the landscape of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) continues to evolve - with growing numbers of synthetic cannabinoids, metabolites, fentanyl analogs, pharmaceutical drugs and metabolites, derivatives, and other emerging compounds - laboratories rely on continuously updated reference data to keep pace.

The latest release includes updates to ensure comprehensive and up‑to‑date support for forensic, toxicology, and drug surveillance workflows:

• Addition of over 700 new mass spectra
• More than 400 new unique compounds, spanning key NPS categories such as fentanyl variants, xylazine, synthetic opioids including nitazene opioids, and cannabinoids
• 37,075 total mass spectra and 27,900 unique chemical entities now represented in the database.

The 2026 release strengthens Wiley’s position as the leading source of trusted spectral intelligence, giving laboratories the high-quality data they need to quickly and confidently identify emerging designer drugs with confidence. These enhancements directly support forensic and public health efforts as new harmful substances continue to appear.”

Graeme Whitley, Senior Director, Data Science Solutions, Wiley

Purpose‑built for forensic and analytical laboratories

Engineered for the unique demands of forensic and toxicology labs, the Mass Spectra of Designer Drugs database works with most major mass-spectrometry systems and is also available as a KnowItAll database subscription. When paired with Wiley’s KnowItAll software, the database unlocks a powerful suite of advanced forensic tools, including drug classification models and Wiley’s patented MS Adaptive Search, that accelerate the identification and interpretation of both known and emerging compounds. These capabilities empower analysts to detect even novel or unusual substances with greater speed, clarity, and certainty, reinforcing the database’s role as an indispensable resource for laboratories working at the front lines of drug detection.