The following is a wrap-up of news of interest during
the months of November to December 2000.Creon Software GmbH and LabControl GmbH
Merge to Form Creon*Lab*Control
Creon Software GmbH and LabControl GmbH have merged to form Creon*Lab*Control
AG. The merger of the two companies significantly broadens their product
portfolio and enables them to provide a comprehensive approach to integrated
IT solutions. The Creon Q-DIS LIMS continues to be offered along with a
wide selection of other laboratory products and solutions. Addresses and
phone numbers remain the same, although the web address has been updated.
For details, visit http://www.creonlabcontrolcom.
Thermo LabSystems Provides Internet Delivery
of LIMS via ASP Architecture
Thermo LabSystems has announced the availability of its Nautilus LIMS
for delivery as an ASP (Application Service Provider) service over secure
networks using Internet technology. This initiative offers an alternative
to up-front capital purchase of software licenses and computing hardware.
By making Nautilus LIMS available as a hired service delivered over the
Internet, any laboratory can utilize the Nautilus LIMS solution running
on highly scaleable, reliable and secure IT infrastuctures. Users access
Nautilus LIMS using any Internet connected desktop device, with a standard
web browser. A single monthly fee covers a comprehensive package that includes
rental of the LIMS software licenses; hosting of the application and data;
management of the computing infrastructure; software; backups, upgrades
and help desk access. Thermo LabSystems provides all system management functions
as part of the ongoing monthly usage charge. For details, visit http://www.thermolabsystems.com.
Tribal Software Wins WEF Innovative Technology
of the Year Award
Tribal Software, Inc. has been awarded the Innovative Technology of
the Year award by the Water Environmental Federation for their Tribal-LDMS
LIMS system software. The company was chosen from a select group of talented
entrepreneurs because of the significant achievement in design, operation,
and maintenance of software for water and wastewater quality improvement.
The award was given for the Instrumentation (Scientific instrument) category,
and was given to Tribal in a ceremony at the WEFTEC 2000 - 73rd Annual Conference
and Exposition in Anaheim, CA on October 17, 2000. Tribal Software develops
software systems for use in all types of laboratories. For details, visit
http://www.tribalsoftware.com
Applied Biosystems Introduces Productivity
Pack for ABI Prism Genetic Analyzers
Applied Biosystems has introduced a new Productivity Pack intended to offer
users of the ABI Prism genetic analyzers a substantial improvement in productivity.
The Pack has three components: (1) new sequencing chemistry for capillary
and slab-gel-based systems, (2) an improved polymer to allow users to perform
an additional two to four seqnqucing runs per day, and (3) new data collection
software that enabled unattended operation for up to 48 hours. For details,
visit http://www.pecorporation.com
NuGenesis Technologies and HP Develop Alliance
NuGenesis Technologies and Hewlett-Packard Company have announced an alliance
to expand and enhance scientific data management systems (SDMS) options
to scientists in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. NuGenesis SDMS
software now works with HP-UX to fully leverage the Oracle platform This
solution comprising NuGenesis SDMS software and HP's line of UNIX servers
and storage platforms gives scientists a complete and secure package for
their data management needs. For details, visit http://www.nugenesis.com
New FDA Enforcement Manual Now Available
Thompson Publishing Group has released a new FDA Enforcement Manual designed
to assist companies in preparing for FDA investigators, understand FDA encorcement
priorities, and discover options in the event of an FDA inspection. The
manual costs US$597. A 30-day risk-free review is available. For details,
call 1-800-677-3789 r visit http://www.thompson.com
Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Adds to its Integrated
Proteomics Technology Portfolio
Amersham Pharmacia Biotech has added two new high performance tools for
accurate protein expression analysis and identification, Ettan DALT II and
Ettan Spot Picker, to its proteomics products portfolio. The new Ettan DALT
II system for two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis offers major advances
in protein analysis, including the highest capacity available on the market.
The new automated Ettan Spot Picker automatically transfers selected protein
spots separated on the 2D electrophoresis gels to microplates for mass spectrometry
identification without the fear of contamination which can affect results.
For details, visit http://www.am.apbiotech.com
Zymark Systems Enters Paratek's Drug Development
Program
Paratek Pharmaceuticals recently deployed Zymark's Staccato Workstation
to help speed their existing product development and commercialization of
novel therapeutics that treat life-threatening infectious disease agents.
Paratek will use the Staccato system's plate replication and serial dilution
capabilitiies for assay work in determining MICs (Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations
) for anti-baccterial drug discovery applicaitons. For details, visit http://www.zymark.com
Zymark Delivers UHTS Platform to Pfizer
Three Zymark Allegro UHTS systems were recently delivered to Pfizer Global
Research and Development. Pfizer's facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan will
use two of the units, while the third will be installed in Pfizer's San
Diego, California laboratory. Allegro is Zymark's automated screenign systems
that employs aan industrial assembly-line approach of individual modular
workstations to the drug discovery process. For details, visit http://www.zymark.com
LabSystems Changes Name to Thermo LabSystems
LabSystems has announced that it has changed its name to Thermo LabSystems
as part of a new corporate identity strategy initiated by its parent company,
Thermo Electron Corporation. The program is designed to establish a strong
affiliation between Thermo Electron and its 80-plus globally recognized
brands, including LabSystems, and to promote Thermo Electron as a single,
unified company. Like LabSystems, each of Thermo Electron's businesses will
add the prefix "Thermo" to its existing name. Thermo LabSystems
will continue to market its products under product-specific trademarks,
such as SampleManager LIMS, Nautilus LIMS and its solutions for chromatography,
Atlas and Target DB. For details, visit http://www.thermolabsystems.com.
Thermo LabSystems Delivers Nautilus 2000 Release
2
Thermo LabSystems has announced the availability of Release 2 of their Nautilus
2000 LIMS. This significant first update of Nautilus 2000 includes a host
of new features, including some key advances in user-friendliness, such
as enhanced prompts; toolbars and command button editors with property sheets
to allow the graphical customization of standard toolbar appearanc; window
extensions that enable the creation of user-defined windows; an improved
database wizard that enables users to now create table-spaces directly from
the wizard; and, result entry screen improvements. In addition, almost 100
minor enhancements have been included in this release. Nautilus 2000 R2
is being distributed to all supported customers on request with documentation
being supplied in soft copy form. For details, visit http://www.LabSystems.com
Thermo LabSystems Australia Announces Major
Expansion through Acquisition
In a move that reaffirms its ongoing commitment to Australasia, Thermo
LabSystems has announced a doubling of staff numbers and the opening of
a new office in Adelaide. Thermo LabSystems Australia, based in Sydney,
has recruited three LIMS specialists by acquiring Right Approach Pty Ltd,
formerly its strategic implementation partner. The total manpower now stands
at eight professionals, making it one of the largest companies in Australia
dedicated to lab automation solutions. Further appointments are planned
at Thermo LabSystems Australia before the end of 2000. Thermo LabSystems
has had a presence in Australia since 1991 and supports more than 30 customers,
including organizations such as BP, Mobil and Alcoa. For details, visit
http://www.thermolabsystems.com.
CSols Announces New Release of Links for LIMS
Software
CSols plc. has just released version 4.1 of their Links for LIMS interfacing
software, which is used by many organizations to link a wide range of analytical
instruments to LIMS. The new features in this version are particularly significant
for Pharmaceutical companies and other industries that are regulated by
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They address the Electronic Signature
and Electronic Record issues defined as 21 CFR Part 11. New or improved
functionality includes:
tracking of all data files handled by the system; encryption of system files
and configurations to ensure that only audited access occurs; extensive
secure auditing; embedded Electronic Signatures; and, collection of all
files used by the system within a run into a single file that can either
be imported into LIMS (dependent on LIMS functionality) or stored in a protected
area on a Server. For details, visit http://www.csols.com
Beckman Coulter Releases New Version of Pinnacle
CDS with Electronic Signatures
Beckman Coulter has released a new version of their Pinnacle Chromatography
Data System (CDS) that includes features which help pharmaceutical companies
meet the requirements of the FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signatures
and records rule. Pinnacle Version 1.1 can maintain an audit trail for every
document, recording time, ful user name, certified electronic signature,
and old/new values for each change. To accommodate individual site requirements,
system administrators can specify whether an electronic signature is required
for specific actions, such as create, modify, rename, review results, etc.
A built-in security system provides tight control over authorization to
create and modify documents. As an added safeguard, the system requires
that passwords be changed at regular intervals and prohibits their reuse
within a specified period of time. For details, visit http://www.beckmancoulter.com/LIMS
Applied Biosystems Introduces New Sequence
Detection System
Applied Biosystems has introduced the ABI Prism 7900HT Sequence Detection
System, a real-time PCR instrument designed for gene expression quantitation
and detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The new system
delivers the extremely high throughput required for pharmaceutical research
and accommodates a higher plate-density than previous generation instruments
with no loss of speed, resolution, or reproducibility. For details, visit
http://www.pecorporation.com
NuGenesis Technologies Teams with EMC to Provide
Enhanced SDMS
NuGenesis Technologies has teamed with EMC Corporation, a leader in information
storage, to offer EMC's Symmetrix Enterprise storage systems and software
and CLARiiON storage systems and software with the NuGenesis Scientific
Data Management System (SDMS) suite of products. This reseller alliance
will provide sicence-based companies with a fast, reliable, and scalable
information infrastructure, called E-Infostructure, to support research
activities. The combination is expected to offer a high performance solution
to the data management and storage issues facing many life science laboratories.
For detials, visit http://www.nugenesis.com
Aventis Pharmaceutical Validates Assays with
Zymark System
Aventis Pharmaceutical has successfully validated and is routinely running
complex cell-based screening systems on the Zymark Allegro System. The system
is located in Vitry, France, and is one of six Allegro system in operation
at Aventis locations throughout the world. The Vitry site is currently running
in the 384-plate format and successfully maintaining sterile conditions
on a 24-hour basis using an assembly line approach to parallel processing.
For details, visit http://www.zymark.com
Beckman Coulter Ships New LabManager iLIMS
Software
Beckman Coulter has announced the release of their new LabManager iLIMS
LIMS. This reengineered LIMS, previewed at the Pittsburgh Conference earlier
this year, offers navigation advances and greater flexibility, including
the option to access the system from an Internet web browser or a client/server
Microsoft Outlook-styled user interface. The system is a native Oracle8
application that provides complete sample, test, and data management on
a Windows NT/2000 or HP9000 server. The software can also make use of Microsoft
Visual Basic to automate processes and customize applications, data formats,
and calculations. iLIMS also supports Seagate Software's Crystal Reports
tool for custom report design. For details, visit http://www.beckmancoulter.com/LIMS
PerkinElmer and NuGenesis Technologies Announce
Expanded Partnership
PerkinElmer and NuGenesis Technologies have announced an expansion of their
business and technology strategic partnership. PerkinElmer will license
NuGenesis Technologies' data management tools to provide PerkinElmer Turbochrom
C/S chromatography data system users with an integrated database to enhance
laboratory workflow. The flow of Turbochrom data into the NuGenesis Scientific
Data Management System (SDMS) database will provide laboratories with a
seamless method of data capture and managment. For details, visit http://www.nugenesis.com
Agilent Technologies Unveils Expanded HPLC
System
Agilent Technologies has unveiled a new highly automated saplue purificaiton
system for purification of combinatorial chemistry synthesis products as
well as purification of natural products. The system is optimized according
to the amount of sample to be isolated, required purity, and desired throughput.
Based on Agilent's 1100 Series HPLC systems, this new system offers optimum
throughput, capacity, and productivity. For details, visit http://www.agilent.com
New Market Report on High Throughput Screening
Now Available
A new market analysis report from D&MD Reports entitled "High Throughput
Screening: Overcoming the Innovation Deficit" is now available in both
CD-ROM and print versions. The report (#1993) is comprised of 207 pages,
40 exhibits, and 21 company profiles. It is divided into 10 sections which
provide a historical overview of HTS, market factors, basic and applied
research activities, products and applicaitons, and more. The cost for the
report is $4950. individually or $8,000 for both versions. For details,
visit http://www.drugandmarket.com/1993
deCODE genetics Purchases Applied Biosystems
DNA Analyzers
deCODE genetics, an Icelandic genomics company, has purchased 50 ABI PRISM
3700 DNA Analyzers for ultra-high-throughput, short tandem repeat (STR)
genotyping to determine genetic factors that influence human disease. Used
in large-scale sequencing laboratories around the world, the 3700 DNA Analyzer
system generates the fundamental genetic map of living organisms. With the
acquisition of the 3700 systems, deCODE expects its average genotyping throughput
to increase nearly fivefold to approximately 12 million genotypes per month.
deCODE uses genotypic analysis of DNA samples to identify genes linked to
more than three dozen of the world's most common and devastating illnesses.
For details, visit http://www.pecorporation.com
or http://www.decode.com
Zymark Launches E-Commerce Initiative
Zymark Corporation, a supplier of pharmaceutical analysis and laboratory
automation, has announced the launch of a new e-commerce initiative, the
Zymark Z-Store at http://www.zymark.com. The Z-Store allows online purchasing
of Zymark products as well as access to product catalogs, incident tracking
operations, customer satisfaciton surveys, product configuration and price
quoting functions, order-tracking applications, technical documentation,
specifications, and service bulletins. For details, visit http://www.zymark.com
Zymark Introduces New Integration Software
for Automation
Zymark Corporation has introduced new technology that permits the Twister
Universal Microplate Handler and the RapidPlate 96/384 Microplate Pipetting
Workstation to be integrated into one automated system. Using a simple point-and-click
setup, the new Twister/RapidPlate Interface moves microplates between Twister
and the RapidPlate automatically. This solution is appropriate for any laboratory
performing repetitive microplate tasks. For details, visit http://www.zymark.com
Zymark and Eppendorf-5 Prime Inc Form Cooperative
Alliance
Zymark Corporation and Eppendorf-5 Prime, Inc. have entered into a cooperative
alliance. A developer of high performance reagents, Eppendorf-5 Prime will
supply users with reagent and chemistry expertise while Zymark will supply
automation technology. The integration of the Zymark SciClone-based automated
robotic and workstation technology validated with the PERFECTprep-96 VAC
Plasmid DNA Purification System will enable customers to achieve better
results in a high throughput genomics environment. This collaboration provides
biopharmaceutical companies and sequencing laboratories the opportunity
to purchase an integrated robotic platform. For details, visit http://www.zymark.com
Procter & Gamble and L.I.M.S. USA Inc.
Expand StarLIMS License Agreement
L.I.M.S. USA Inc has announced the signing of a new agreement with The Procter
& Gamble Company (P&G). The new six-year agreement succeeds the
original agreement signed in 1994 between the two companies, and it both
extends and expands the original terms of that agreement. Under the original
agreement, P&G installed L.I.M.S.' StarLIMS application software in
10 R&D labs in the US, UK, Japan, Germany, and Italy. The new agreement
allows P&G to roll out beyond the original 10 labs in all parts of the
world, and it enables P&G access to L.I.M.S.' recently announced web-enabled
version named StarLIMS 9i. Under the new agreement, P&G is expected
to continue installing StarLIMS solutions in new locations and to take advantage
of new technology that will enable P&G to connect an unlimited number
of researchers to central LIMS databases located in P&G's major R&D
sites. For details, visit http://www.starlims.com
NuGenesis Technologies and LabWare, Inc.
Announce Effort to Join Scientific Data Management System (SDMS) and LIMS
NuGenesis Technologies Corporation and LabWare, Inc. have announced a joint
effort to integrate NuGenesis UNIFY and VISION with LabWare LIMS. The NuGenesis
Technologies/LabWare integration will deliver key functionality to the LIMS.
By leveraging the NuGenesis UNIFY Toolkit as a bridge to the UNIFY database,
LabWare LIMS will provide immediate access to all original reports associated
with a given sample. Since NuGenesis UNIFY is an application-independent
repository for human-readable reports, LabWare LIMS users can now review
and reuse any type of laboratory report generated during the testing process.
Previously, LIMS have faced challenges in providing interactive access to
original, fully graphical instrument reports. For details, visit http://www.labware.com
or http://www.nugenesis.com
NuGenesis Technologies and Agilent Technologies
Announce Application Development Agreement
NuGenesis Technologies Corporation and Agilent Technologies have announced
a formal agreement to develop and market the integration of NuGenesis ARCHIVE
software and Agilent's ChemStation Plus networked data system. The alliance
will benefit analytical laboratories in the life sciences field by providing
fully compliant solutions for acquisition, capture, and long-term storage
of raw and meta data to ensure regulatory compliance and improve productivity
in the drug discovery and development process. NuGenesis ARCHIVE enables
laboratory professionals to capture, catalog, and store raw and meta data
within moments of its creation or alteration. Agilent ChemStation Plus is
a networked data system based on client/server technology for instrument
control, data acquisition and handling for a wide range of applications,
including liquid chromatography (LC), LC/mass spectrometry detection, gas
chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and UV-Visible spectroscopy.
For details, visit http://www.agilent.com
or http://www.nugenesis.com
SoftWIRE 2.0 Graphical Tool Enhances Computer
Productivity
SoftWIRE 2.0, Graphical Programming Add-In for Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0,
has been released. SoftWIRE allows non-programmers to take advantage of
the Visual Basic environment to quickly create powerful programs. No programming
experience is required. SoftWIRE 2.0 expands existing capabilities to include
advanced database, TCP/IP, arithmetic, financial and analysis functions.
Controls that interface with Microsoft Excel and Access provide seamless
office application integration. With more than 130 SoftWIRE-enabled ActiveX
controls, revision 2.0 expands SoftWIRE beyond measurement and control,
into office and Web automation.
Test and measurement engineers will be pleased to find that SoftWIRE 2.0
enhances its existing graphical interfaces such as the oscilloscope, strip
chart, digital voltmeter, among others, and increases functionality of its
data acquisition properties. Additionally, new X10 controls and a periodic
light/appliance timer control easily regulate or automate office and home
security systems. Many of the new controls are purely graphical such that
all properties and variables are set by modifying and coloring graphical
displays. For details, visit http://www.softwiretechnology.com
EarthSoft Announces Electronic Data Deliverable
(EDD) Standard
EarthSoft has announced that it has completed the technical review of
an Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD) for US EPA Region 5, and has adopted
this EDD as its standard EDD. This EDD is free and can be downloaded at
http://www.earthsoft.com/download/edds/EPA5_EDD.zip.
The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center led the EDD documentation
effort, with assistance from staff at Battelle, EPA Region 5, the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection , and EarthSoft. The new EDD can
be checked for accuracy by the Electronic Lab Data Checker (ELDC), which
most US analytical labs already possess. The EarthSoft Data Verification
Module (DVM) will provide data quality review per the EPA Functional Guidelines
on data delivered correctly. Additionally, an Electronic Field Data Checker
(EFDC) is near completion to implement the EPA's Locational Data Program.
EarthSoft develops and markets software for the management of environmental
data. For details, visit http://www.earthsoft.com.