LIMSource News: What's New in April 2010

• Software Point Acquires LabIT Solutions’ LIMS Business

• Quality Systems International Announces WinLIMS.NET for the Apple iPad

Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches New Integrated ELN and CDS Solution for Symyx Notebook Using Atlas CDS

• Werum Software & Systems and VelQuest Corporation Partner to Provide a Comprehensive Lab-to-Plant Data Integration Platform

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Expands Global Partner Alliance by Partnering with up to data Professional Services

• NWA Releases Quality Analyst Version 6.2 with Multivariate SPC and Stability Analysis/Shelf Life Prediction

• Bio-Rad Releases ATR-IR, NMR, UV-Vis Spectral Databases and Version 8.2 of KnowItAll Spectroscopy Software

• ChemSW Releases New Best Practices White Paper on How to Gain Complete Control of Chemical Inventory

• Ariadne’s Pathway Studio Explore Makes Visualizing Pathways Easy for Affymetrix GeneAtlas Personal Microarray System

• NAG Releases New NAG Library for SMP and Multicore

• PerkinElmer Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Signature Genomic Laboratories, LLC

• Symyx Adds Scientific Information Access to Microsoft SharePoint

• FDA Delays PREDICT Expansion Indefinitely

• FDA Issues Final Guidance on SNIs for Drug Packages

Software Point Acquires LabIT Solutions’ LIMS Business

Software Point has again strengthened its position as the leading Nordic LIMS company. Software Point and the Swedish company, LabIT Solutions, have signed a contract according to which Software Point acquires the whole business from LabIT Solutions on April 1st, 2010. LabIT Solutions is a fully-owned subsidiary of VWR International AB. It is a Nordic LIMS vendor which has provided LIMS solutions to industrial and hospital laboratories in the Nordic countries since the 1980s. "Software Point was the best possible buyer for LabIT” says Lars Nordlander, managing director for VWR International AB and chairman of the Board of LabIT Solutions AB. “The Company has substantial experience in LIMS, and for many years has been a well-established player on the Nordic LIMS market. Software Point is, besides LabIT Solutions, the only LIMS company offering services both to public hospital laboratories and to private industrial and service laboratories. Therefore, I am sure that Software Point in an excellent way can take care of our customers and ensure continuity in services.” Andrea Holmberg, CEO for Software Point is excited about the acquisition. “By joining the expertise and competence of Software Point and LabIT, we will become the strongest LIMS company in Northern Europe. Our presence in Sweden will grow remarkably in both hospital and industrial laboratories. LabIT’s staff will join our Swedish operations in Stockholm and Malmö. I am delighted to be acquiring so many new staff members with experience in LIMS. Following the merger, our staff in Sweden will grow to more than 20 persons, and in total we will have almost 70 LIMS experts serving around 500 laboratories. Our own LIMS portfolio with WilabLIMS, Sapphire LIMS, C5 LIMS for hospitals and Sapphire Biobanking solution will be completed with LabIT’s well-established products, LabMaster and LabStudio. It will be fantastic to combine the know-how and expertise of the two companies, and I am sure our customers will appreciate the services that can be offered by our strengthened forces.” For details, visit http://www.softwarepoint.com.

Quality Systems International Announces WinLIMS.NET for the Apple iPad

Quality Systems International Corporation (QSI) has introduced WinLIMS.NET for the Apple iPad. This next generation of WinLIMS.NET combines a full featured web-based LIMS that includes ELN (Electronic Laboratory Notebook) functionality with an elegantly designed portable device that is light-weight, quickly boots, has extensive battery life and with accessibility to networks and the Internet via Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. The synergy of the WinLIMS.NET and iPad technologies provides a practical and functional means for eliminating paper notebooks as lab workers, field samplers, plant operators, managers, sales, and technical support personnel can now conveniently access and log their data directly from the iPad. Expanded access to WinLIMS.NET using the iPad ensures that data is always up-to-date and immediately accessible throughout the organization and audit trails are guaranteed. For details, visit http://www.qsius.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches New Integrated ELN and CDS Solution for Symyx Notebook Using Atlas CDS

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has announced the availability of a new Thermo Scientific Atlas Chromatography Data System (CDS) integration solution for Symyx Technologies' electronic laboratory notebook (ELN). Thermo Fisher
Scientific has collaborated with Symyx to develop a solution that allows integration with Symyx's Notebook using the globally-deployed Atlas CDS, providing scientists with a completely automated and integrated laboratory
workflow. Award-winning Atlas CDS provides chromatographers with a client/server chromatography-based software solution for controlling multi-vendor instruments, providing integrated digital data acquisition, processing and
reporting. Seamless integration and automated transfer of information between Atlas and the Symyx Notebook is now possible as a result of this partnership, providing a streamlined, compliant workflow for users. The integration of Atlas CDS and Symyx Notebook allows users to drive their laboratory business processes from an integrated solution, eliminating repetitious entry of information and providing live interaction of chromatography data within Notebook and, ultimately, increasing throughput. Users can design and drive chromatography experiments within the ELN and Atlas interface, providing Atlas customers with the ability to expand the capabilities of their existing CDS investment, connecting sample preparation data with chromatography. This gives users the ability to access data
directly from a multitude of disparate CDS instruments through one interface. In addition the solution facilitates analytical method development and allows users to streamline chromatographic analysis across their organization. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

Werum Software & Systems and VelQuest Corporation Partner to Provide a Comprehensive Lab-to-Plant Data Integration Platform

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) vendor Werum Software & Systems America and VelQuest Corporation, the developer of the SmartLab GMP Lab Execution System/ELN, have announced a technology partnership that integrates Werum’s PAS-X MES software with the VelQuest SmartLab Automated Quality System platform providing a linkage for a plant-based manufacturing database including critical process parameters and QC lab-based critical quality attributes. The partnership is a direct result of several Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies seeking a QbD-based knowledge management platform to understand and ultimately control the relationships and operational impacts of production data with QC data. Through this integrated solution, production plants can actively define and control process improvements for reduced production cycle times and reduced operational costs while insuring the highest product quality. “Today the life sciences industry faces significant cost, productivity and compliance challenges” says Ken Rapp, President and CEO, VelQuest Corporation “The Werum/VelQuest integration provides a comprehensive solution for aggregating plant and QC lab data sources”. For details,visit http://www.velquest.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Expands Global Partner Alliance by Partnering with up to data Professional Services

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has announced that up to data has become a member of its Informatics Global Partner Alliance Program. This addition to the more than 70 partners already in the program demonstrates the Thermo Fisher's global strength and presence and its ability to fulfill the growing market needs around the world. up to data professional services will provide distribution and servicing of Thermo Scientific Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Chromatography Data Systems (CDS) throughout Germany. The addition of up to data to the company's Global Partner Alliance will ensure that life sciences laboratories in Germany have access to a complete Thermo Scientific Informatics solution comprised of consulting, software, implementation and validation, and data management. up to data will also provide full operational support and administration support for all Thermo Scientific informatics products and underlying databases. Life sciences technology investments in Germany are focused on the biotechnology sector, which is becoming a core area of research for future drugs. In addition, large pharmaceutical companies will continue to seek technology solutions that increase efficiencies within the drug lifecycle, reduce costs and shorten time to market. up to data has specialized in life sciences in Germany, and now this market will benefit from the addition of Thermo Scientific purpose-built informatics solutions to the up to data portfolio. "Our customers will benefit from our new partnership with the global service and sales teams at Thermo Fisher Scientific. By offering best-in-class Thermo Scientific Informatics software, we are able to provide our customers with a comprehensive solution set for managing their data and for helping to ensure that their laboratory workflow meets the demanding regulatory requirements in Life Sciences," confirmed Dr. Martin Lohfink, managing director at up to data professional services. Dave Champagne, vice president and general manager for Thermo Fisher's Informatics business, said: "Thermo Fisher's Global Partner Alliance Program brings together the expertise of sales and services organizations around the world, allowing Thermo Scientific Informatics solutions to be delivered to private and public sector businesses focused on a range of industries. up to data will contribute to our long-standing support of the important and growing life sciences community in Germany." For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

NWA Releases Quality Analyst Version 6.2 with Multivariate SPC and Stability Analysis/Shelf Life Prediction

Northwest Analytical, Inc. has introduced the next generation of Quality Analytics with NWA Quality Analyst Version 6.2. Version 6.2 provides improved performance, new tools for breaking down data, and two new companion modules, Multivariate SPC and Stability/Shelf Life Prediction Statistics. These new modules represent a breakthrough in bringing the power of sophisticated statistical methods to everyday process engineering and quality management. Multivariate SPC enhances the analysis of complex processes in chemical, pharmaceutical and petrochemical plants, among others, through the use of multivariate models. NWA has partnered with Infometrix, the creators of Pirouette®, the leading chemometrics multivariate software, to develop this breakthrough module. A single, integrated analytics system creates and maintains the models, delivers the resulting Multivariate SPC charts and supports automated, real-time and web-enabled distribution. NWA MvSPC™ turns next-generation multivariate process modeling and analytics into a practical, broadly deployed tool for process management and continuous process improvement. Once thought to be too complex, this valuable method can now become a routine quality management tool. Stability studies are the standard method for pharmaceutical and food manufacturers to determine product shelf life. The NWA Stability Analytics module works with Quality Analyst 6.2 to provide stability statistics and analytics from any LIMS or standard database. NWA Stability Analytics follows FDA and ICH guidelines for shelf life and stability analysis and reporting. NWA Stability Analytics is a single, integrated application that replaces the collection of spreadsheets, personal databases and statistics packages often used for production stability studies. The result is higher quality data analysis and greater efficiency. In addition to the MvSPC and Stability Analytics modules, Version 6.2 provides operational enhancements to improve the quality analysis and management process which include: a new “Breakdown” function; Automation Improvements, and Graphics Viewer with many expaned functions. For details, visit http://www.nwasoft.com/qanew62.htm .

Bio-Rad Releases ATR-IR, NMR, UV-Vis Spectral Databases and Version 8.2 of KnowItAll Spectroscopy Software

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, has announced the release of several new spectral databases and version 8.2 of its award-winning KnowItAll software. The release includes new spectral databases for critical application areas, offering researchers access to one of the world's largest spectral reference collections containing over 1.3 million spectra of pure organic and commercial compounds. The new spectral databases include: Sadtler ATR of Basic Polymers; Sadtler ATR of Inorganics; Sadtler ATR of Organometallics; Sadtler 13C NMR of Monomers & Polymers Database; HaveItAll UV-Vis. In addition, the KnowItAll Informatics System 8.2 now includes a new tool for spectral interpretation. A fully integrated software and database package that provides scientific researchers multiple tools, Bio-Rad's KnowItAll Informatics System includesdatabase building and management, search, analysis, structure drawing, and reporting all within a single user interface. The latest KnowItAll release highlights a major addition to the AnalyzeIt IR spectral interpretation application. AnalyzeIt IR helps chemists interpret spectra by generating a list of all functional groups possible at specific peak positions in a spectrum. With this release, users can now link to additional reference information for each functional group in the Sadtler Handbook of Reference Spectra - IR. This release also includes a series of new report templates for more efficient output and improved design and a function to preview spectra and chromatograms to be used for searching, interpretation, or database creation before the file is actually opened. For details, visit http://www.bio-rad.com.

ChemSW Releases New Best Practices White Paper on How to Gain Complete Control of Chemical Inventory

ChemSW, Inc. has announced the release of a new in-depth white paper that examines best practices for effectively controlling and reporting chemical inventory. Entitled “How to Gain Complete Control of Your Chemical Inventory”, the white paper provides tips and techniques for ensuring that chemical inventory is managed in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. Safety is a key reason why chemical inventory management differs from all other inventory. From lubricants to solvents, from flammable materials to corrosives, many organizations today handle and store a number of different chemicals that must be managed safely. It’s not enough to ensure that you know where chemicals are, provide training and information about correct handling procedures, and ensure that chemicals are stored and disposed appropriately. It is also important, and in many cases required by regulations, to report to external agencies what chemicals are on site, and how and where they are stored. For this reason alone it is important to ensure that chemical inventory management is optimized. The white paper details the best practices that can help organizations optimize chemical inventory management, particularly with regard to regulatory requirements. The building blocks to best practices are defined as well as tactics to ensure system adoption and successful incorporation into lab processes. To request a copy, visit http://www.ChemSW.com/GainWP.htm.

Ariadne’s Pathway Studio Explore Makes Visualizing Pathways Easy for Affymetrix GeneAtlas Personal Microarray System

Ariadne has announced the launch of Pathway Studio Explore for the Affymetrix GeneAtlas Personal Microarray System. Ariadne’s Pathway Studio Explore provides a biological context for the analysis of gene expression data to identify biological signal flow, key regulators, and affected pathways. Pathway Studio Explore can build and explore protein interaction networks, perform network analysis of experimental data using powerful data mining and network building tools. Part of the GeneAtlas personal microarray system from Affymetrix, Pathway Studio Explore offers customers easy-to-use data analysis and visualization software provided with instrumentation that is easily installed on any laboratory computer. "Pathway Studio Explore can help microarray users obtain biologically relevant results immediately from their experiments through visualization effects in a pathway or network context", says Gabriella Armin, Director of Marketing for Ariadne. "The GeneAtlas system along with Pathway Studio Explore eliminates complex workflows and analysis for researchers with little to no microarray experience. Pathway Studio Explore is a streamlined version of Ariadne’s more comprehensive Pathway Studio Desktop software and has been designed for researchers who are just getting started with microarray analysis." The GeneAtlas system employs software from Partek and Ariadne to drive workflow-driven statistical and pathway analysis. The Pathway Studio Explore is available directly from Affymetrix and the GeneAtlas microarray system at http://www.affymetrix.com/GeneAtlas. For more information about Pathway Studio Explore, visit http://www.ariadnegenomics.com.

NAG Releases New NAG Library for SMP and Multicore

Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG) has announced that scientific researchers seeking better use of the processing power of multicore computer systems in addition to an easy way to migrate existing applications to multi processor architectures, can now download the new NAG Library for SMP and Multicore. Mathematical and statistical algorithms optimized for performance on multicore architectures have become key to progress in various aspects of computationally-intensive problem solving in the full gamut of scientific fields. The NAG Library for SMP and Multicore contains over 1600 routines, including over 100 new for this release. As Dr. Hartmut Schmider of the computational support team of the High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario comments, “The NAG Library is very good for work on multiple cores because of the reliable parallel design of the algorithms. But it is also because of the common interface for both serial and multicore libraries. This enables users to speed up their code on many multiple core architectures with greatly reduced effort.” David Cassell, NAG Product Marketing Manager, reports, “Most current processors are multicore, and can provide benefits when programmed with parallel techniques. In fact, if you do not use routines tuned for multicore architectures applications are now likely to execute more slowly. The NAG library for SMP and Multicore also has been designed to make it easy to move those applications that currently call serial routines into the parallel world, by the use of common calls and common documentation. This means users can quickly gain the benefits of parallel performance.” For details, visit http://www.nag.com/downloads/downloads_entry.asp.

PerkinElmer Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Signature Genomic Laboratories, LLC

PerkinElmer, Inc., a global leader focused on the health and safety of people and the environment, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Signature Genomic Laboratories, LLC (Signature), a diagnostic genetic testing company based in Spokane, Washington. The acquisition is expected to enable PerkinElmer to strengthen its existing genetic testing service business, expand its position in early detection of disease, specifically in the molecular diagnostics market, and provide the company with additional strengths in cancer diagnostics. "We are delighted to have Signature become part of the PerkinElmer team. Signature brings very strong complementary assets for diagnosing disorders that are often undetected by traditional genetic tests,” said Robert Friel, chairman and chief executive officer of PerkinElmer. Founded in 2003 by Lisa G. Shaffer, PhD and Bassem A. Bejjani, MD, Signature performs diagnostic cytogenetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained physical and developmental disabilities. Signature’s microarray diagnostic technology is available for both pre-natal and post-natal identification of DNA alterations associated with genetic disease. More recently, Signature launched a suite of services for the diagnosis of patients with leukemia. The transaction is expected to close sometime in May 2010 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Signature has approximately 120 employees and was the first laboratory to provide microarray-based diagnostic testing of individuals with developmental disabilities with its proprietary SignatureChip microarray. For details, visit http://www.perkinelmer.com.

Symyx Adds Scientific Information Access to Microsoft SharePoint

Symyx Technologies, Inc. has announced the release of Symyx Isentris for SharePoint, a collection of Microsoft SharePoint Web parts that improves project team knowledge sharing and collaboration in an information-driven R&D environment. Integrating Symyx Isentris search/browse and data analysis tools with the SharePoint platform gives scientists access to real-time project information and critical decision-support capabilities within the context of a well- known enterprise collaboration portal. In a recent Symyx survey of scientists currently using Symyx software, 45 percent of survey respondents stated that they also used the Microsoft SharePoint platform, making Isentris for SharePoint a useful complement to their existing research environment. "Scientific R&D is under enormous pressure to improve productivity and reduce costs," said Dr. Trevor Heritage, president, Symyx Software. "Symyx Isentris for SharePoint helps project teams effectively pool their resources and do more with less. Scientists get single-click access to critical project documents and can launch common tasks and searches in a familiar collaboration environment." Scientists can view and share their latest project information in the SharePoint portal, and when deeper analysis is needed, download files from SharePoint to the Isentris client to access advanced Isentris query/browse, analysis, and reporting capabilities. Scientists can then quickly and easily post their analysis back to SharePoint where team members have instant access to useful new information and insights including successful search strategies, experimental results, reports, lists, and forms. For details, visit http://www.symyx.com/micro/isentris31.

FDA Delays PREDICT Expansion Indefinitely

An expected nationwide rollout in the summer of 2010 of the FDA’s PREDICT electronic ranking system, designed to help uncover adulterated and misbranded imports, has been delayed indefinitely. The delay is due mostly to IT infrastructure problems, such as server crashes and overloads, FDA spokeswoman Ayse Yeaton said. She noted that fixing the problems, which are affecting FDA field data systems nationwide, is a high priority issue. “As soon as these problems are fixed, deployment of PREDICT can resume,” she added. For details, visit http://www.fda.gov.

FDA Issues Final Guidance on SNIs for Drug Packages

Drugmakers won more leeway for serial numbers on packaging that would help authenticate prescription drugs in the supply chain, in the FDA's first final guidance on standardized numerical identifiers (SNIs). The SNI will include the product's national drug code plus a recommended serial number of as many as 20 characters, lengthening the serial number from the one suggested in the draft guidance to accommodate high-volume products and allowing letters to be used in the sequence. For details, visit http://www.fda.gov.

What's New - April 2010 The following is a wrap-up of news of interest during the month of April 2010

What's New - April 2010
The following is a wrap-up of news of interest during the month of April 2010