LIMS & Lab Automation


Optimising effi ciency, traceability, and integration with liquid handling for GlaxoSmithKline


Christiana Berces, Azenta Life Sciences, Andy Wright and Darren Rimmer, GlaxoSmithKline


To enhance process compliance, traceability, and effi ciency in drug development and clinical trials, the early drug discovery group at GlaxoSmithKline (Harlow, UK) partnered with Azenta Life Sciences to modernise their small molecule sample management. The implementation of two Azenta SampleArc™ Flex Automated Storage Systems was made to streamline storage, automation, and workfl ow integration for improved visibility and high-throughput processing with liquid handling integration.


Introduction


GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a global pharmaceutical company that uses science, data, and technology to develop life-saving therapeutics. The GSK site in Harlow, UK needed to improve process compliance, gain visibility, and enhance effi ciency in the management of their small molecule samples. Their state-of-the-art compound management facility required rapid access to their proprietary small molecule sample collection, critical for lead identifi cation and lead optimisation efforts through target identifi cation and focused screening strategies. They also required better visibility into the location of their samples at any given time (such as internal storage, academic institutes, or third-party sites) and integration with a liquid handling system.


The challenge


GSK needed to replace their obsolete and aging automated storage platform with a modernised system capable of storage, high-throughput cherry picking for tubes, and integrated liquid handling capabilities for sample plate production. Most of their samples are used in early drug discovery for the identifi cation of new candidates that progress into the drug development phase.


Preliminary discussions with Azenta included a tour through their current facilities, a workfl ow review, and an update about migrating to a future building and new workfl ow. To date, GSK’s samples have been stored in 1.2 ml split septum tubes, with a future view of switching to Azenta FluidX™ Acoustic Sample Tubes.


As part of the whiteboarding exercise, Azenta also assessed what a busy day would look like at their site (i.e., how samples coming in and out of the facility).


Technical and project topics that were also discussed included capacity, throughput, store size, robotics, available room space, sample migration, controlling and orchestrating multiple pieces of tabletop equipment under the control of Azenta software, and software integration with their existing LIMS.


During planning, GSK outlined a number of additional requirements:


• Liquid handling: Addressed parameters such as volume, dilution, and third-party equipment orchestration.


• Storage capacity: Defi ned storage capacity and input/output capacity needs.


• Software function: Capabilities for order placement, workfl ow priorities, and LIMS compatibility.


• Order grouping: Ability to offer automated grouping and rearrangement of samples by study to boost throughput.


• Scalability: Possibility for future expansion of input/output capacity. The solution


GSK sought a partner that could deliver a scalable, fl exible, and future-proof solution, evaluating candidates based on both quantitative performance and qualitative expertise. Azenta emerged as the ideal choice due to its strong existing relationship with GSK and a proven track record, with large installations already in place across the UK and USA.


Two SampleArc Flex automated storage systems were installed.


• Ambient system: A smaller system storing 44,000 solid powder samples, operating 24/7, and processing approximately 3,000 customer orders annually.


• -20°C system with liquid handling: A larger facility currently housing 4 million samples and integrated with a High-Volume Liquid Handling (HVLH) Cell. The HVLH Cell enhances automation by enabling precise sample preparation, validation, thawing, nanolitre to microliter aspiration, dilutions, liquid transfers, and tube and plate consolidation - streamlining workfl ows and ensuring accuracy in sample management.


The high-volume liquid handling (HVLH) cell


The SampleArc Flex System seamlessly transfers labware from storage to the operations area via a connecting Automation Interface Module (AIM). This automated workfl ow enables the direct transfer of samples into new plates or tubes from tube sets delivered to the HVLH Cell, minimising exposure to external environments and reducing contamination risks.


The HVLH Cell is equipped to handle thawing, liquid transfer, dilution, and plate sealing, ensuring effi cient and precise sample processing. Orders are managed through the ARCON™ Store Controller Software (formerly Strata), which integrates with the GSK LIMS.


Controller software


The ARCON Store Controller Software supervises all equipment within the system, coordinating task scheduling and sequencing for assay operations.


Operators can monitor real-time run progress, sample status, and instrument performance, with the system dynamically adjusting schedules based on available resources to maintain optimal effi ciency.


Figure 1: The Solution ….. SampleArc Flex -20°C System with Integrated HVLH Cell Storage capacity


The GSK SampleArc Flex -20°C System with Integrated HVLH Cell offers a maximum storage capacity of 14 million FluidX Acoustic Tubes or a confi gurable number of 1.2 mL AbGene tubes, allowing for a fl exible combination of both. The store control software dynamically optimises tube placement, minimising wasted space while ensuring effi cient retrieval.


Designed for versatility, the system supports multiple labware types and can be easily adapted to accommodate new formats in the future. Each plate and tube feature a unique 1D barcode, positioned both horizontally and vertically on the side, as well as a 2D matrix code located on the bottom of the tube for streamlined tracking and automation integration.


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