LabCD plays assays to GENESIS tunes
microfluidics disc platform which the makers say will provide a
seamless in vitro method for ADMET applications in the drug
development process.
The LabCD reduces the steps normally necessary for a wide variety of separation and assay procedures from a macro to a micro scale integrating them into a single disposable device that is set to drive costs and the processing time down significantly.
The LabCD combines microscale fluid paths, reaction chambers, and passive valves on a disposable compact disc operating on one automated platform, the LabCD-ADMET System. It integrates the CD Disc, the GENESIS liquid handling workstation, an ULTRA LabCD/microplate reader/spinner/incubator and software.
The LabCD provides a solution to a growing range of assays including cytochrome P450 inhibition for measuring drug-drug interactions and serum protein-binding assays for measuring binding characteristics of drug compounds at different serum protein-binding sites. Its versatility makes it especially attractive to the pharmaceutical research and development, where the LabCD is suited to procedures after secondary screening.
While the methods of analysis in these areas vary, the need to prepare samples and perform fundamental process tasks such as: separation, lysis, mixing, filtering, diluting, amplifying and detection are universal. The LabCD and its on-board informatics capabilities can achieve all this, effectively eliminating handling errors.
A spokesman for Tecan told DrugResearcher.com: "Tecan launched the LabCD with a view to minimize assays and assay procedure which can be lengthy, costly and on a much larger scale."
"The LabCD is our solution to address this gap in the market, minimizing the assay process and enhancing the quality of results obtained."
The LabCD is part of an integrated and validated system that performs all fluid-related functions thus guaranteeing assay reliablity and consistency from one location to another and from one assay to the next. Through advanced miniaturisation, the LabCD allows users to significantly reduce sample and reagent consumption.
The concept of performing experimental procedures on a CD is one that is increasingly gaining popularity within the industry and perhaps more importantly, credibility. Swedish company Gyros have a range of products that incorporate CD technology to identify proteins by peptide mapping or sequencing by MALDI MS.
The spokesman expected the larger pharmaceutical companies to be main customers. He pointed out five major pharmaceutical companies which had purchased and used the technology to great satisfaction. They included Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim.
"With this product, we are aiming for standardisation. That is the primary advantage of this technology. The product comes preloaded with the reagents within the CD."
"Benefits in cost are seen by reducing the process' size and scale, therefore reducing the amount of reagent content."
