LIMSource News: What's New in February 2009

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces New Functionality in its Purpose-Built Darwin LIMS for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing R&D and QA/QC

• Autoscribe Introduces Matrix iPlanner Instrument Booking System

• Labvantage Sapphire Enhances its Certified Integration with SAP ERP

• PerkinElmer to Highlight How to Reduce Lab Costs and Ease the Compliance Burden at Pittcon with their Onesource Laboratory Services

• Sapio Sciences Announces that Biodesix Inc Selects Exemplar LIMS

• Agilent Technologies and National University of Ireland, Galway, Open Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility

• The Hospital for Sick Children Selects GenoLogics for an Integrated Lab and Data Management Solution across Multiple Sciences

• Agilent Technologies Supports Healex ChemLaunch to Round Out Chromatography Software Suite

• BIOINQUIRE Releases ProteoIQ Version 1.2

• Waters Acquires Thar Instruments; Establishes “Green” Separation Science Leadership and Expands
Chromatography Application Range

• PerkinElmer Expands LED Portfolio with Acquisition of Opto Technology, Inc.

• Elsevier's New Workflow Solution Improves Quality and Efficiency

• EMEA Boosts Inspections in the Developing World

• EC Proposes New GMP Rules Aimed at Counterfeits

Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces New Functionality in its Purpose-Built Darwin LIMS for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing R&D and QA/QC

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.,

a world leader in serving science, has introduced significant functionality enhancements to Darwin LIMS, its purpose-built LIMS designed specifically for pharmaceutical manufacturing R&D and QA/QC. Already offering dissolution, stability management, product and batch management, environmental monitoring and system interfacing, Thermo Scientific Darwin 3.0 brings new capabilities to pharmaceutical labs. Darwin 3.0's new fully validated web interface allows for more efficient reporting and sharing of test data across the lab. Built on the Microsoft .NET framework, Darwin can easily be extended to include dashboard-ready tools for multi-user and multi-site environments where the interface gives immediate information on resource and instrument utilization so laboratory managers can maximize productivity by optimizing resources. Darwin 3.0 also features solution and reagent inventory management and built-in instrument calibration and maintenance, allowing continuous operations and increased efficiencies. Reagent lots and amounts are logged and tracked over time, ensuring that a test is never stopped due to lack of reagent availability or a bad/expired lot. Likewise, instrument calibration and maintenance tracking prevents a user from running a test on an uncalibrated or out of compliance instrument. Pharmaceutical labs will realize a lower total cost of ownership due to Darwin's user-friendly and intuitive interface, as well as the industry-specific functionality that is built into the product, reducing the need for costly customization to standardize processes. The product was designed and optimized to operate on the Oracle 10g platform, with extensive interfacing capabilities to provide tight integration with SAP for rapid batch disposition and release and streamlined workflow, plus new historical data trending and charting functionality. The embedded charting and trending for product stability testing allows for real-time data review and rapid reporting. By incorporating SAP and additional systems interfacing capabilities, as well as batch and product management capabilities, customers are better prepared to integrate Darwin into their global enterprise landscape. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

Autoscribe Introduces Matrix iPlanner Instrument Booking System

Autoscribe has introduced a new “instrument booking” system module for their Matrix Gemini LIMS. The system allows for the automatic allocation of sample-tests to the appropriate instrument within constraints which include the booking of pre-requisite tests, test order, sample availability dates and instrument capacities. The benefits of employing this new module are more efficient use of expensive automated equipment and the ability to better balance the workload to meet testing deadlines. The instrument plan can be viewed over desktop or browser clients. Instrument bookings are displayed on a plan which is colour coded to represent either an empty instrument, a partially used instrument, an instrument at capacity or an offline instrument. The view of the instrument plan can be expanded / compressed so that the user can view a wider or narrower date range. Instruments are shown on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. At each interval where a booking is present the bar either displays the number of sample tests booked and the capacity (e.g. 4/10 showing 4 samples tests booked on an instrument with a capacity of 10) or “Offline” in the event of an instrument being offline for maintenance or calibration etc. When an instrument booking is highlighted a list box gives details of the samples to be run on that instrument at that time point. Samples can be moved from one instrument booking to an alternative date using a point and click system. For details, visit http://www.autoscribe.co.uk.

Labvantage Sapphire Enhances its Certified Integration with SAP ERP

LabVantage has announced that its LabVantage Sapphire LIMS has enhanced its certified integration with the SAP ERP application. In February 2007, LabVantage announced that LabVantage Sapphire 4 had achieved certification as powered by SAP NetWeaver. With the recent release of LabVantage Sapphire R5, LabVantage continues to safeguard the integration between the current version of its solution with SAP ERP. This certified integration enables the exchange of information between the SAP ERP application and LabVantage Sapphire R5, leveraging the capabilities of the SAP NetWeaver Process Integration (SAP NetWeaver PI) offering Release 7.0 and LabVantage Sapphire Enterprise Connector (SEC). SEC, an embedded component of LabVantage Sapphire, facilitates tailored, bi-directional data flow between LabVantage Sapphire and SAP ERP. LabVantage Sapphire integrates a configurable-off-the-shelf, pure thin-client solution for raw materials testing and management, quality control (QC), and quality assurance (QA) with the business environment around manufacturing, quality, compliance, and operations. The SAP NetWeaver technology platform powers the SAP Business Suite family of applications and solutions such as LabVantage Sapphire. SAP NetWeaver unifies integration technologies into a single platform and is pre-integrated with business applications, enabling change and reducing the need for custom integration. The SAP Integration and Certification Center (SAP ICC) has certified that the exchange infrastructure content "Package for LabVantage Sapphire Enterprise Connector R5" for the product LabVantage Sapphire R5 integrates with SAP NetWeaver PI 7.0 via the SAP integration scenario SAP NetWeaver – Exchange Infrastructure Content 3.0 (NW-XI-CNT). For details, visit http://www.labvantage.com.

PerkinElmer to Highlight How to Reduce Lab Costs and Ease the Compliance Burden at Pittcon with their Onesource Laboratory Services

PerkinElmer's OneSource Laboratory Services will showcase its capabilities in reducing the compliance burden for laboratories at Pittcon this year. OneSource offers a comprehensive portfolio of multi-vendor maintenance, instrument qualification and asset management services for numerous laboratory apparatus ranging from general equipment to complex analytical and life sciences instrumentation. Combining an advanced metrology-based approach, proven processes and compliance expertise, OneSource provides the most robust laboratory instrument qualification solution available. With a wealth of experience in regulatory subjects, the OneSource Laboratory Services team will be on-hand at Pittcon 2009 to highlight the benefits of adopting an integrated multi-vendor approach to reduce overall costs and improve laboratory productivity. OneSource employs over 1,300 customer service engineers worldwide providing a flexible, responsive and well-resourced professional compliance team for laboratories around the globe. For details, visit http://www.perkinelmer.com/onesource.

Sapio Sciences Announces that Biodesix Inc Selects Exemplar LIMS

Sapio Sciences has announced that Biodesix Inc has selected Exemplar LIMS as its Laboratory Information Management Solution (LIMS). Biodesix needed a solution to address all of the following requirements: Regulatory compliance with HIPAA guidelines; Full field level audit logging and secure login; Detailed Workflows for Tracking Sample Receipt and storage; BioBanking with LIMS auto-assignment to freezer locations with auto-archiving; Detailed sample processing workflows with automatic plate handling; Integration with Mass Spec device; and, Experimental data management and tracking. As a compliant lab servicing physicians who send Biodesix their samples, Biodesix needed a solution that could be adapted quickly to their needs, yet maintain regulatory compliance to secure patient information. Due to impending regulatory changes, Biodesix needed a solution that could be implemented in an extremely tight timeframe. Kevin Cramer, Regional Sales manager, “We are gratified that Biodesix chose Exemplar LIMS. We felt that their extensive workflows and other data tracking requirements combined with their short timeline for delivery made Exemplar LIMS the clear choice. The ease of configuration of Exemplar along with its extensive built-in feature set ensured we could deliver what they needed in the timeframe allotted. We have enjoyed working with Biodesix and look forward to working closely with them in the future.” For details, visit http://www.SapioSciences.com.

Agilent Technologies and National University of Ireland, Galway, Open Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility

Agilent

Technologies Inc. and the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, have announced the opening of a Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility on the NUI Galway campus. The state-of-the-art facility is fully equipped with the latest accurate-mass quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) and triple quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometer platforms from Agilent. The facility primarily focuses on functional genomics, proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics research. As part of the collaboration, NUI Galway will provide application notes and data for key applications using the Agilent Q-TOF and QQQ platforms. The facility will also be used to showcase new instruments to Agilent customers and to run samples for demonstration purposes. "The opening of this facility is a continuation of Agilent's drive to be a key technology partner for innovative research in academia," said Gustavo Salem, general manager for Agilent's LC/MS business. "NUI Galway has some of the top primary investigators in Europe. We look forward to working closely with them to further their breakthrough research in the fields of metabolomics and proteomics." "NUI Galway has recently made a substantial commitment to increase its capability in mass spectrometry, in particular targeting life science research," said Professor Terry Smith, vice president for Research, NUI Galway. "With our recent investment, sponsored by IDA, SFI and Agilent Ireland, NUI Galway now has this capability." The collaboration between NUI Galway and Agilent is a result of Agilent's Academia Program, which facilitates collaborations with universities around the world. The program assists universities with teaching, materials and creating research partnerships. For details, visit http://www.nuigalway.ie or http://www.agilent.com.

The Hospital for Sick Children Selects GenoLogics for an Integrated Lab and Data Management Solution across Multiple Sciences

GenoLogics has announced that The Centre for Applied Genomics at The Hospital for Sick Children is deploying its lab and data management solution across multiple facilities of its genome centre. The Centre for Applied Genomics (TCAG) is dedicated to conducting and promoting groundbreaking research in genomics in support of academic, government and private sector scientists worldwide. The GenoLogics solution will be deployed for TCAG’s Microarray Analysis and Gene Expression Facility, DNA Sequencing and Synthesis Facility, Cytogenomics and Genome Resources Facility and Genetic and Statistical Analysis Facility. "We required a single LIMS that was flexible enough to automate data capture and workflows for each service provided, while still being able to integrate billing, reporting and sample tracking across the entire operation“, said Dr. Steve Scherer, Director of The Centre for Applied Genomics. “The solution from GenoLogics was the only one with proven capabilities to integrate data across the multiple platforms we use, while also meeting our need to effectively and efficiently serve customers around the world.” Since Geneus is designed for the unique needs of genomics core facilities, the lab and data management solution can be deployed quickly to provide TCAG with immediate value. Pre-configured integrations to more than 20 of the instruments in use at TCAG means Geneus will improve efficiencies, data quality and workflow management for the entire operation. TCAG is also deploying GenoLogics’ web collaboration tool, LabLink, and adaptive reporting engine in order to easily generate and share information with its customers. For details, visit http://www.genologics.com.

BIOINQUIRE Releases ProteoIQ Version 1.2

BIOINQUIRE, LLC has announced the release of ProteoIQ, version 1.2, a bioinformatics tool for the analysis of proteomic data. The newest version of ProteoIQ provides researchers with automated methodology for identifying proteins that possess post-translational modifications in a manner that was not previously possible. New functionality included in ProteoIQ v. 1.2 is specifically designed for researchers using proteomic strategies that involve separations at the protein level followed by digestion and separation at the peptide level, such as Gel-C-MS/MS. "Current proteomic software was designed for analyzing 2D-gel or MudPIT data, and is not optimal for Gel-C proteomic workflows,” said James Atwood III, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of BIOINQUIRE. “Comparing the experimental and theoretical molecular weights for the intact proteins identified in a Gel-C experiment enables my lab to quickly identify glycosylated proteins, as these appear at a higher molecular weight than the one calculated solely from the protein’s amino acid sequence,” said Ron Orlando, University of Georgia biochemist , who uses mass spectrometry for the analysis and characterization of proteins and glycoproteins. “ProteoIQ v. 1.2 quickly identifies truncated and degraded proteins as their experimental masses are below the calculated values. To the best of my knowledge, the information gained by the protein separation is lost in other commercial software packages.” ProteoIQ v. 1.2 is well-suited for comparative proteomic analyses, where spectral counting-based quantification is combined with data mining functions to enable researchers to find differences between multiple proteomic data sets. For details, visit http://www.bioinquire.com.

Agilent Technologies Supports Healex ChemLaunch to Round Out Chromatography Software Suite

Agilent Technologies Inc. and Healex Systems Ltd. have announced that Agilent now fully supports Healex's ChemLaunch remote instrument access and control module for Agilent's ChemStation chromatography software. This, combined with Agilent's OpenLAB laboratory operating system, provides an integrated software environment for large-scale, distributed analytical labs. "Now, users have a single point of contact, Agilent, for administering their ChemStation/ChemLaunch solutions," said Bruce von Herrmann, Agilent vice president and general manager, Laboratory Software and Informatics. "We have a large installed base of this solution, and this agreement will simplify both lab and IT managers' lives." ChemLaunch is a secure Internet/intranet-based system that enables labs to remotely control and monitor usage of a wide range of analytical instruments in a Citrix terminal server environment. These include gas chromatographs, liquid chromatographs and liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometers running ChemStation data systems. Validation costs are reduced, and maintenance and software upgrades can be implemented centrally through the server. "We developed ChemLaunch eight years ago to help labs better use large numbers of instruments distributed among widespread locations," said Nicholas Place, president and CEO, Healex. "This new agreement delivers even more value for users, as they now have a single point of support for this Healex/Agilent solution." In addition to helping lab managers run more samples without increasing costs, ChemLaunch eliminates the need for a computer at every instrument, further reducing costs and bench space requirements. The Agilent ChemStation family provides modular software components for instrument control, data acquisition and data management, providing flexibility to meet labs' changing needs. ChemStation base software can be augmented with add-on modules that include data management/storage, regulatory compliance functions, method validation and control of specific applications. For details, visit http://www.agilent.com.

Waters Acquires Thar Instruments; Establishes “Green” Separation Science Leadership and Expands
Chromatography Application Range

Waters Corporation has acquired all of the remaining outstanding capital stock of privately held Pittsburgh-based Thar Instruments, Inc., the world’s largest supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) manufacturer, for an undisclosed amount. Waters had previously made an equity investment in Thar in June 2007. Thar’s current annual revenues are approximately $18 million, and the acquisition is estimated to be neutral to Waters 2009 earnings. Considered a leading “green” analytical and purification technology, Thar’s SFC and extraction systems are used to separate, isolate and quantify chemical compounds. The principles of SFC are similar to those of liquid chromatography; however SFC typically uses carbon dioxide as the main mobile phase. Carbon dioxide offers environmental and cost benefits compared to liquid chromatography solvents. "By combining Thar’s advanced SFC instrumentation with Waters chromatography expertise, Waters is committed to bringing the benefits of SFC to more laboratories for analytical and purification applications worldwide,” said Dr. Rohit Khanna, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing for Waters Division. For details, visit http://www.tharsfc.com or http://www.waters.com.

PerkinElmer Expands LED Portfolio with Acquisition of Opto Technology, Inc.

PerkinElmer, Inc.has announced the acquisition of Opto Technology, Inc., a leading supplier of light-emitting diode (LED) based lighting components and subsystems. The acquisition of Opto Technology adds optical subsystems to PerkinElmer’s portfolio of high brightness LED components. This addition builds on PerkinElmer’s leadership position in providing energy efficient solid state lighting solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) serving the health, safety and security markets. PerkinElmer’s LED solutions are part of PerkinElmer’s Environmental Health business which is based upon helping to ensure a cleaner environment and safer and more secure surroundings. "The addition of Opto Technology expands PerkinElmer’s presence in the solid state specialty lighting marketplace and broadens the portfolio of LED subsystem capabilities that we can provide to our OEM customers,” said David Nislick, president of PerkinElmer’s Illumination and Detection Solutions business. "We are excited by the opportunity to become part of PerkinElmer, combining PerkinElmer’s strength in providing lighting solutions to health and environmental OEMs around the globe with Opto Technology’s innovative solid state technology capabilities. A core part of our mission has been designing energy-efficient lighting systems that make the world a brighter, healthier, safer and greener place to live. We are delighted that there is such clear synergy with PerkinElmer’s strategic focus,” said Thomas Hegberg, president and chief executive officer, Opto Technology, Inc. For details, visit http://www.perkinelmer.com.

Elsevier's New Workflow Solution Improves Quality and Efficiency

Elsevier, a leading publisher of scientific, medical and technical products and services, has introduced Reaxys, a new workflow solution for synthetic chemists. Reaxys is based on data from Elsevier’s industry leading chemistry databases (CrossFire Beilstein, CrossFire Gmelin and Patent Chemistry Database) now merged together to provide harmonized content, additional functionalities and a redesigned interface to help improve R&D efficiency. Reaxys also contains new unique features including a synthesis planner and advanced results handling to help scientists gather relevant information more efficiently. "Scientists, both in academia and industry, are under increasing pressure to deliver more and better results in a shorter time and make research decisions faster” said Mark van Mierle, managing director for Elsevier Information Systems. “Reaxys now gives them a tool to quickly create an overview of the of synthesis design options available for their work, research and quickly identify and select the most appropriate. By integrating chemical reaction and substance data from trusted sources with a synthesis design process, customers can accelerate early phase discovery.” Features include: Workflow and decision making support for synthesis design and planning; Quick access to key data by displaying results in a unique tabulated overview of the most important information; Convenient and flexible output of data in most common formats. Reaxys has been developed with input and advice from development partners from corporate and academic research institutions around the world. In addition, the web interface has been designed by experts in human-computer interaction. The look and feel has been streamlined to make searching easier and provide a clear visualization of the results. For details, visit http://www.info.reaxys.com/press_room.

EMEA Boosts Inspections in the Developing World

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is planning to join the FDA in increasing the number of good clinical practice (GCP) inspections at clinical trial sites outside North America and Western Europe. The EMEA’s 2009 work program calls for verifying that trials carried out in developing nations are in compliance with required GCP and ethical standards and ensure “greater transparency of this process and its outcome.” For details , visit http://www.emea.europa.eu.

EC Proposes New GMP Rules Aimed at Counterfeits

Pharmaceutical manufacturers marketing drugs in Europe must verify that the starting materials they use to make products are produced in accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs), according to legislation proposed last month by the European Commission (EC). Manufacturing authorization holders must verify the GMP compliance of their active substances suppliers either on their own or through an accredited organization under the legislation. For details, visit http://www.fda.gov.

What's New - Right Now The following is a wrap-up of news of interest during the month of February 2009

What's New - Right Now
The following is a wrap-up of news of interest during the month of February 2009