25 LIMS & Lab Automation
Case study: A global roll-out of SampleManager LIMS software
Many laboratory networks use laboratory and data management systems that are disconnected across locations and instruments, preventing them from attaining the benefi ts of integration and automation. Here, a fully integrated LIMS stand to bring signifi cant benefi ts - as demonstrated by Thermo Fisher’s Pharma Services business, a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) that develops and manufactures products for customers across the industry, from development and commercial scale-up of active ingredients to fi nal dosage forms.
Seeking synergy and effi ciency, Thermo Fisher Pharma Services initially implemented SampleManager LIMS software at their Cork, Ireland location to test the system’s suitability before considering a roll-out across more of their 25 sites. The CDMO grew to its current confi guration as a result of multiple acquisitions, and, therefore, had an array of software and information management systems implemented at different sites worldwide. However, they needed a common system throughout their whole network to reduce the burden of running and maintaining disparate software across so many sites, and to improve data sharing. In spring of 2020, Thermo Fisher Pharma Services went live with SampleManager LIMS software at the pilot site in Cork and began to enter their static data into the digital system.
As a result of their LIMS implementation, Thermo Fisher Pharma Services were able to streamline data management and demonstrate the value of a cross-functional team in optimising operations: a team comprised of IT and laboratory subject matter experts, and quality and regulatory personnel, all of whom understand the day-to-day requirements of an effi cient, compliant laboratory. The LIMS automated large parts of the data acquisition process, removing the need for manual input while also detecting errors or issues in real time for improved accuracy. As data has a single point of entry and maintains a clear chain of custody once in the system, the LIMS streamlined compliance and protected the integrity of every single data point, a crucial aspect of data management for a large global CDMO that experiences frequent regulatory audits.
After experiencing the benefi ts of SampleManager LIMS software at the Cork site, Thermo Fisher Pharma Services began creating a playbook with which to guide a wider roll-out and enable smooth, streamlined global integration. The organisation plans to launch SampleManager LIMS software in waves, providing more and more sites with the software until all 25 sites are connected. The implementation has brought about effi ciency and process optimisation gains such as improved remote working capability, that are essential to successfully weather stochastic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
After implementing an integrated LIMS across their network, Thermo Fisher Pharma Services anticipate the ability to connect, standardise and communicate across all sites, and to enhance operational effi ciencies across their network using a common system. As well as integrating across sites, the organisation sees new opportunities to bring together specifi c projects - something with signifi cant value in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. By connecting systems and data across an entire project, from the development of an active pharmaceutical ingredient through to manufacturing of a fi nal dosage form, the integrated solution can help drugs progress through the pipeline faster.
A single, standardised solution:
From disconnected to optimised Standardising and connecting different aspects of the laboratory brings numerous benefi ts to any pharmaceutical organisation. By utilising a single solution from development through to manufacturing, and across all locations and projects, integrated LIMS can help facilities of all sizes and functions optimise their operations. Using a LIMS, laboratories and manufacturing plants can achieve easy, streamlined compliance, realise truly informed decision-making, and prepare for future innovation.
Integrated laboratory software solutions enable data to be easily shared between sites, and standardise processes and systems for optimised performance and continual improvement. By helping drug developers and manufacturers establish globally automated, optimised process execution and data management, LIMS bring signifi cant operational, effi ciency and productivity gains - ultimately facilitating faster delivery of life-saving new therapies to patients.
New Software Features to Support Chemical and Pharmaceutical R&D Released
ACD/Labs has announced its annual updates across its Spectrus and Percepta platform applications. “With many scientists working both remotely and in shifts, there has been an increased interest in remote data accessibility and automation, especially this year,” said Mark Meyers, VP of Sales at ACD/Labs. “I’m delighted that we have been able to support our client organisations with flexible license expansion(s) enabling scientists to access data generated on lab instruments, from home.” The Spectrus Platform features enhancements to databasing capabilities including improved spectral search, better data accessibility, facile data sharing, and collaboration for scientists in geographically scattered teams/groups.
NMR and MS functionality for data processing and analysis has seen a variety of enhancements to aid structure characterisation and verification, including the introduction of new capabilities for quantitative analysis of chromatographic data in MS software applications. The chromatography portfolio sees the introduction of 3D optimisation. ACD/Labs’ chemically intelligent approach minimises the number of experiments needed for multifactorial optimisation using chromatographic simulation. Optimisation results can be conveniently viewed as 2D slices or 3D maps to facilitate decision-making.
Improved CMC decision support and supply chain management is delivered by updates to Luminata. V2020.1 development focused on the feedback of users that have adopted the product since its introduction in 2017 to improve data management and visualisation in support of effective and efficient decision-making.
The industry standard calculator for pKa on the Percepta Platform was also a focus in this most recent development cycle. Working with curated experimental data from a large pharma collaborator has enabled expansion of the internal data set. This expands the chemical space coverage of the model and will improve prediction accuracy for related structures.
“As the R&D industry continues to evolve, it’s clear how valuable data, and software capable of supporting it, is throughout the entire product development lifecycle,” said Karim Kassam, Senior Director of Customer Success at ACD/Labs. “We’re always looking to improve the way data can be managed and visualised so scientists and project teams can effectively problem-solve and make decisions quickly. Our v2020.1 software updates bring enhanced capabilities so scientists can continue to innovate knowing they have the latest capabilities in their toolkit.”
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/gzMZ 53287pr@reply-direct.com
Time-Saving Automation for Small Biobanks
Ziath reports strong uptake of its Mohawk semi-automated tube picker in smaller biobanks and biorepositories. Small biobanks and biorepositories need to select tubes from cold racks straight from the freezer, but cannot afford the huge investment in robotics to fully automatically pick and place tubes from racks. The Mohawk, being small and compact, can simplify picking tubes, up to 16 in one go, from a 96-position tube rack. By elevating sample tubes in racks using solenoids, the Mohawk enables biobank operators to quickly and simply retrieve the correct tubes and put in the destination racks. Additionally, because the Mohawk can seamlessly connect with Ziath rack scanners, biobank users can read in a picking list, select the tubes and verify that the correct tubes are picked. This makes the whole process of finding and selecting the right tubes in your biobank quicker and easier without complexity and cost of full automation.
The Mohawk is a widely proven system for frozen or thawed sample tube picking from 96-position racks. Designed to work out of the box, the Mohawk needs no set up or calibration. Instrument control is through powerful software which provides an intuitive interface for even occasional users. Tubes can be picked from a single rack or a picklist can be set up to select tubes across multiple racks. Pick list operations are normally started from reading the 1D code on a rack placed onto the Mohawk, but manual selection is also possible.
Other key features of the Mohawk semi-automated tube picker include the ability to generate picklists externally in other software applications, or create a template using the Mohawk’s own software. For extra sample tracking and security, the Mohawk can be connected directly to a 2D-barcode scanner for tube confirmation. In this mode it can also generate picklists directly from the tube barcodes. For further traceability, a 1D-scanner for reading the rack barcode is included as standard.
The compact size, intuitive software and ability to integrate make the Mohawk a valuable asset for smaller biobanks and biorepositories to reliably and quickly pick and handle thawed or frozen tubes in SLAS standard format racks.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/QL1n 53227pr@reply-direct.com
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