Cambridge, UK – SPT Labtech, a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of automated instrumentation and consumables for life science applications, announces the selection of its firefly all-in-one liquid handling platform by PRISM BioLab, a leading discovery and development biotechnology company in Japan, to accelerate the design of small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interaction (PPI) targets by automating screening workflows.

firefly will be integrated into PRISM BioLab’s screening workflows to automate numerous pipetting and transfer steps across 96 and 384-well plates. Automating this process with firefly enhances throughput and efficiency in a cost-effective manner, while reducing the risk of human error and strain associated with repetitive manual liquid handling.

firefly was chosen as the optimal liquid handling solution for its:

PRISM BioLab utilizes proprietary PepMetics® technology 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 makes 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,” says Joby Jenkins, Chief Technology Officer at SPT Labtech. “firefly’s capabilities are well-suited to the repetitive nature of drug discovery screening workflows, empowering laboratories to maximize throughput in such critical areas of diseases with unmet needs.”

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

SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way scientists work. For nearly two decades, our expert scientists, engineers, and business innovators have created innovative solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation and management that help accelerate research and make a real difference to human health. We work collaboratively with our customers, building trusted relationships that enable us to deliver exceptional, personalized experiences designed for real world challenges in the lab. For more information, please visit: www.sptlabtech.com

PRISM BioLab is a discovery and development biotechnology company utilizing proprietary PepMetics® technology to discover orally available small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interaction (PPI) targets and transform lives of patients suffering from cancer, autoimmune, fibrosis and other diseases. PepMetics® are a unique class of small molecules that mimic three-dimensional structures of alpha-helix and beta-turn, the peptide structures commonly found in intracellular PPI interphases and receptor-ligand interactions. By combining proprietary chemistry, know-how around PPI targets and AI-supported design, PepMetics® technology can deliver inhibitors of challenging PPI targets. The technology holds promise to expand the field of drug discovery by turning previously undruggable PPIs into targets readily druggable with small molecules and by generating oral small molecule alternatives for injectable biologics.

PRISM BioLab is collaborating on new PPI targets with global and Japanese pharmaceutical companies. PepMetics® targeting CBP/beta-catenin PPIs licensed to Eisai Co., Ltd.  and Ohara Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. are in clinical development for cancer and liver disease, respectively.