ELN
workflow,’ explains Sigel. ‘The ELN has
allowed them to consolidate information
formerly found across multiple notebooks,
and to improve planning and analysis by
using E-WorkBook as a presentation tool
bound
in data and process review meetings.’
Sigel cites increased documentation
efficiency as one of the main advantages of
the electronic notebook over using bound
elns in action
Electronic notebooks are a vital part of many
paper notebooks. ‘Data is added more
frequently and reported more thoroughly,
laboratories’ equipment inventory. Greg Blackman making experimental data analysis and
examines some of the uses for ELNs
report writing easier and more efficient,’ he
says. ‘Notebook entries are now more closely
aligned with data analysis workflow. This
M
oving from paperbound notebooks to EnVivo implemented IDBS’s ELN alignment leads to significant reductions in
an electronic system provides huge solution, E-WorkBook, to handle its the time between experiment execution and
advantages for a laboratory. In many life research and clinical testing programmes, the transfer of data into the notebook.’
science industries, the electronic laboratory with the system fully operational by the For many pharmaceutical and
notebook (ELN) is finding increasing beginning of December 2007. IDBS, with biotechnology companies, protection of
use in companies looking to protect their European headquarters in Guildford, UK, intellectual property (IP) in the form of
intellectual assets and add value to their provides integrated software solutions to synthesised compounds is an important
business. ELNs are particularly prevalent the life sciences industry. requirement when implementing an
in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology Three key aims were identified as being electronic notebook. Protection of
industries, which, with their high essential to the successful deployment of EnVivo’s IP was secured with IDBS’s
throughput of samples and large amounts of the ELN: flexibility, limited administrative E-WorkBook. Cancer Research Technology
data, are where electronic notebooks excel. overhead, and clear efficiency gains. The (CRT), a company based around the UK
EnVivo system had to be able to in London, Cambridge, Glasgow and
Pharmaceuticals, adapt to the changing Manchester, and which is involved in the
a Massachusetts- needs of the work. Research discovery, development, marketing and
based biotechnology scientists working on commercialisation of cancer therapies,
company, is involved specific chemical leads, implemented Amphora’s PatentSafe
in discovering and where experiments are platform for just such a purpose.
developing therapeutics usually carried out by an CRT is the commercialisation arm of
for central nervous individual, would have Cancer Research UK and has grown from
system disorders. With different needs from an a small organisation of about a dozen
40 staff, the company ELN than those involved in staff in the early ’90s to now employing
handles various projects, compound screening, which approximately 150 people over six different
including phase is much more collaborative. sites. A major part of the work carried
I/II clinical testing for File organisation for out at CRT involves targeting enzymes
Alzheimer’s disease both lead optimisation and in signalling pathways that are critical to
and schizophrenia screening were catered for tumour growth. Chemists then set about
as well as preclinical
ABOVE: EnVivo Pharmaceutical has
by the E-WorkBook. ‘To identifying and synthesising small molecules
discovery projects in
implemented IDBS’s ELN solution,
the furthest extent possible, aimed at inhibiting these enzymes. In
neurodegenerative
E-WorkBook, to handle its research
and clinical testing programmes.
folders and files needed addition, projects aimed at investigating
disorders. to mirror workflow and specific genes affecting cancer development
The range of research and clinical trial promote accessibility to data,’ commented and tumour growth are undertaken.
programmes undertaken by this relatively Sigel. ‘Most of CRT’s intellectual property is
small biotech company means that its Data for a particular lead project was tied up in the small molecules synthesised
resources must be effectively managed simply stored in one place, whereas, due by the chemists and as the company grew
and be able to adapt as projects develop. to the more complex nature of screening, it was evident that an electronic method
‘EnVivo’s scientific management and staff which involves a number of different users for protecting IP was needed,’ comments
are constantly looking for ways to improve contributing to multi-stage experiments, Graham Watson, at Cancer Research
efficiency and quality of the data used the data for this was organised by Technology. ‘When there are 12 people in a
in the decision-making process,’ notes concepts, such as experiments, users, and laboratory it’s relatively easy to manage the
Eric Sigel, senior manager of information SOPs. ‘EnVivo’s screening group was able data produced. As we went from a handful of
28
technology at EnVivo. to fully integrate E-WorkBook into their people to two handfuls it became necessary
LIG09 pp28-29 ELN Apps.indd 28 9/12/08 17:13:12
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