Strategic partnership to drive innovations in automated drug screening

SPT Labtech, a global leader in automated instrumentation and consumables for life sciences, and ICE Bioscience, a leading Beijing-based drug discovery CRO, have launched a collaborative laboratory to drive innovation in intelligent drug screening and automation. This partnership combines the strengths of both companies, fostering progress in drug discovery, expanding growth opportunities, and supporting researchers worldwide.

Central to this collaboration is SPT Labtech’s firefly® liquid handling platform, which offers non-contact positive displacement dispensing with adaptable 96- and 384-well pipetting, all in a compact 0.4m² design. With a broad volume range (200 nL to 4 mL) and a small benchtop footprint, firefly enhances ICE Bioscience’s R&D capabilities, particularly in high-throughput screening (HTS) and assay development.

On 15 October, senior leaders from both companies gathered at ICE Bioscience’s Beijing headquarters for a formal signing ceremony and academic seminar, underscoring their shared commitment to advancing innovation in biological sciences.

“This partnership forms a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration,” said Morten Frost Norgreen, Chief Commercial Officer at SPT Labtech. “The joint lab reflects our shared vision for growth and scientific excellence. Together, we aim to pave the way for researchers to address critical human health challenges through advanced technological solutions.”

Li Yingji, General Manager of ICE Bioscience, added: “Our collaboration with SPT Labtech and the integration of firefly will allow us to develop new assay solutions, strengthening our pharmacology platform and assay development capabilities. This joint lab is poised to make significant strides in drug screening automation, bolstering innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.”

This joint lab marks a new phase of cooperation between SPT Labtech and ICE Bioscience, using their combined expertise to accelerate breakthroughs in drug discovery and drive impactful advancements in the pharmaceutical field.

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