Lab Automation

Company Announcements

Fiscal year 2018 sales ending September 30 for Brooks Automation’s Life Sciences Segment grew 32.1%, including 14% organic growth, to $196.5 million, or 31% of total revenues (see IBO 11/30/18). Products and Services accounted for 47% and 53% of segment revenue, respectively. The life science sample management market made up 31% of segment revenue. Revenue outside the US represented 63% of segment revenue. The company reported 200 new customers for the segment, a 20% increase.

Product Introductions

Labcyte launched in October the Echo 650 and 655 Liquid Handlers, featuring new usability such as n improved fluidics system with a simplified maintenance procedure. The Echo 500 series liquid handlers remain available.

In October, Hamilton Storage released a six-channel head to cap and decap large-format tubes, such as the Nunc Low Profile 5.0 mL Externally Threaded Universal Tubes.

Lab Equipment 

Company Announcements

Paragon Care, an Australian publicly listed medical equipment company, acquired distributor LabGear Australia over the summer.

INFORS HT announced in October an expanded distribution agreement with aquila biolabs, adding the LIS. The LIS (liquid injection system) is an easy-to-use technology for automated feeding of liquids in shake flasks.

In October, Adam Equipment announced it is now shipping its new Equinox and Solis advanced lab balances in the UK and Europe. Semi-micro, analytical, and precision models are available and include both external and internal calibration.

Porvair Sciences introduced in October the UltraVap Mistral XT 100 for fully automated dry down of organic solvent–based samples in tubes up to 100 mm in length.

BIOKÉ, a business unit of Cell Signaling Technology Europe, has signed a distribution agreement in November with Syntec International to distribute Syntec’s semi-automated homogenizer Medimachine product line in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Product Introductions

In October, the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, the Goethe University Frankfurt/Main and Pharma Test announced the development of the new Dispersion Releaser apparatus, PT-DR, for a standard dissolution tester to provide a solid system for the release testing of nanomedicines, microformulations and semi-solid dosage forms. The DR technology is a dialysis-based device to test the dissolution rate of dispersed dosage forms using a standard USP apparatus two-tablet dissolution bath.

In November, Asynt introduced the DrySyn OCTO Mini Conversion Kit to enable efficient sample reactions using the DrySyn OCTO 8-position parallel synthesizer. The Kit quickly adapts a standard DrySyn OCTO unit for use with shorter-length reaction tubes, enabling faster reaction sampling with disposable needles.

VELP released in November the new OHS Series overhead stirrer, featuring brushless motors that ensure a long life span and reliability. VELP technology guarantees that OHS Advance and Digital have constant torque along the whole speed range.

MilliporeSigma debuted in October the MilliQ IQ 7003/7005 integrated ultrapure and pure system for Type 1 and Type 2 water, a complete redesign of its MilliQ product. Unique design features include system auto-rinsing prior to production, a seamlessly integrated vent filter for improved protection against airborne contaminant and a built-in ech₂o bactericidal UVC LED lamp.

In November, Boekel Scientific launched a new line of programmable heating block with advanced touch screen control. The interface allows for programmable time and temperature steps for up to five temperature changes, and the ability to repeat programs indefinitely for thermocycling procedures.

Restek introduced in November new pesticide residue standards to meet the specific cannabis analysis needs of Oregon and states with similar pesticide residue regulations/programs. Dissolved in acetonitrile and formulated for stability, the 59 compounds are separated into 6 x 1 mL solutions with individual analyte concentrations of 600 mg/mL, resulting in a 100 mg /mL solution when blended immediately before use.

In November, BINDER released the ultra freezer series, stating that compared with other products in its class, it has the best energy efficiency values. The series features interior volumes of 500 L and 700 L.

Electrochemistry

Company Announcements

In November, MANTECH announced it will exclusively sell its systems, parts and consumables in Canada, effective January 1, 2019.