Platform supports growing liquid handling community

Japanese biotech PRISM BioLab has selected SPT Labtech’s firefly liquid handling platform to accelerate the design of small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interaction (PPI) targets by automating screening workflows. 

The first of this system to be installed in Japan, firefly will be integrated into the company’s screening workflows to automate numerous pipetting and transfer steps across 96 and 384-well plates. Chosen for its speed, accuracy and cost effectiveness, as well as service and support from field engineers, it dispenses low liquid volumes through automated positive displacement technology.

It will be used to identify small molecule inhibitors of PPI targets, thereby converting previously undruggable targets across cancer, autoimmune, fibrosis and other therapeutic areas intro readily druggable pathways.

 “It’s fantastic to see firefly make its debut in Japan. The adoption of firefly technology by PRISM BioLab is a true validation of the dedication and expertise of our scientists and engineers in delivering a truly innovative and robust automated liquid handling platform,” said Joby Jenkins, Chief Technology Officer at Cambridge, UK-based, SPT Labtech. “firefly’s capabilities are well-suited to the repetitive nature of drug discovery screening workflows, empowering laboratories to maximise throughput in such critical areas of diseases with unmet needs,” he added. 

“We chose firefly to expand our screening platform capability. It will be utilised in the screening of our PepMetics® small molecule library and in the dose titration assays. Through the several demo opportunities, we realised it is easy to handle and is applicable to automation,” said Tatsuya Toma, Chief Technology Officer at PRISM BioLab. “We are confident firefly will minimise our assay optimisation steps and accelerate our research projects to identify novel drugs for the patients.” 

More information online