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QSI's
WinLims Rental Helps Food Testing Contract Lab Reduce Turn-Around Times
Thermo
Fisher Scientific Offers Data Management Solution for Mining Industry with SampleManager
LIMS
Autoscribe India Dealer Expands LIMS Services
Autoscribe's authorised distributor, Mithas Labs, in India has significantly
expanded its LIMS capabilities and offerings for pre-sales and post-sales
services for Autoscribe’s successful LIMS,
Scientific and Business software solutions. The Chennai LIMS team at MithasLabs
now has more than ten team members who have been locally trained by Autoscribe
to implement, configure, sell and support Matrix Gemini LIMS in India for
any laboratory in any industry. Matrix Gemini is a highly scaleable LIMS designed
for any laboratory in any industry. The unique OneTime Configuration tools
automatically create a unified LIMS configuration for both desktop client
and web use. This continues Autoscribe's unique 16+ year history of providing
pioneering, industry standard LIMS that can always be seamlessly upgraded
to the latest release. Matrix Gemini also provides existing Autoscribe customers
with the opportunity to seamlessly migrate their current LIMS desktop applications
to the web without programming, java or esoteric scripting languages. For
details, visit http://www.autoscribe.co.uk.
National
Instruments Releases LabView 8.6
National Instruments has released LabVIEW 8.6, which offers increased performance
with the latest parallel technologies, such as multicore processors, field-programmable
gate arrays (FPGAs), and Wi-Fi measurements, and includes the features and
improvements noted below to boost productivity and offer new measurement capabilities.
Enhancements include: Improved Productivity; New Measurements and Signal Processing;
Real-Time Updates for Industrial Applications; Increased Multicore Performance;
and, Additional FPGA Features. For details, visit http://www.ni.com.
Labmatica Adds Improved FreeLIMS Documentation
Labmatica haqs announced
that new documentation and tutorials for their FreeLIMS solution have been
added to their to website. The new material includes an installation guide,
a video tutorial for System Setup ; and, a video tutorial for fixing problems.
For details, visit http://www.labmatica.com/docs.html.
Agilent Technologies' Enterprise Content
Management System Now Supports Waters' Empower 2 Enterprise Data Manager
Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced that its OpenLAB enterprise content
management system (ECM) for scientific content now supports Waters' Empower
2 database for chromatographic data. "Now, labs that are standardised
on Empower 2 can also enjoy the full functionality of OpenLAB, including the
ability to search for and view files even when they've been removed from the
database," said Kathleen O'Dea, Agilent marketing manager, Laboratory
Informatics. "A wider range of users now can access this efficient way
to gather, store and manage all data generated by lab instrumentation and
processes in a single, secure, repository." OpenLAB is an "operating
system" for laboratories, based on Agilent's vision for an open laboratory
environment. It integrates analytical instrument control, advanced data analysis,
enterprise content management and laboratory business process management into
a single, scalable, Web-based system. It accommodates more than 300 different
instrument modules from 25 manufacturers, and lets users establish policies
and manage file lifecycles using automated archiving and record retention
functions. For details, visit http://www.chem.agilent.com.
Labtronics Hosts September Webcast to Showcase
New ReDI Technology
On September 9th and 11th, Labtronics will be presenting "Go
Paperless in Minutes - Are You ReDI?", a half hour presentation
introducing ReDI their new, fast ELN deployment technology that can convert
paper documents into electronic forms in minutes. ReDI quickly gets
laboratories right to the benefits of going paperless with rapid implementation
of electronic forms that can be scheduled, completed, reviewed and approved
on-line using Labtronics' Nexxis ELN for Routine Analyses. This presentation
will be of interest to any laboratory that is planning on becoming more efficient
and productive by replacing their paper based worksheets, SOPs and documents
with electronic forms. For details, visit http://www.paperlesslab.com
to register for this webcast.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Receives Scientific
Computing 2008 Readers' Choice Awards
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.has announced that five of its informatics and
software solutions have received Scientific Computing 2008 Readers'
Choice Awards across four categories: LIMS, bioinformatics, chromatography,
and spectroscopy. Thermo Fisher Scientific won more awards than any other
company. Dave Champagne, vice president and general manager of informatics
at Thermo Fisher Scientific, commented: "The recognition of Thermo Scientific
products as best-of-breed underlines our efforts to continue to deliver software
solutions that meet the specific needs of our customers. Three gold and two
bronze awards from the readers of Scientific Computing acknowledge Thermo
Fisher's pedigree of products. Receiving the recognition of our customers
is the most valuable testimonial of our standing in the market." Thermo
Fisher was recognized in the following categories: Gold awards went to Thermo
Scientific Atlas CDS (chromatography category), the leading chromatography
data system used around the world and in a wide range of industries; to Thermo
Scientific Kinetica (bioinformatics category), which delivers excellence in
pharmacokinetic analysis and reporting; and Thermo Scientific GRAMS (spectroscopy
category), a world-class solution for capturing, storing, and reporting on
data derived from multiple instrument systems (it also received a bronze recognition).
Bronze awards went to Thermo Scientific SampleManager LIMS (LIMS category),
a leading laboratory information management system for the process industries,
and Thermo Scientific OMNIC (spectroscopy category), providing advanced spectroscopy
and enabling chemists in analytical and investigative chemistry laboratories
to take advantage of the power of FT-IR and Raman. The Readers' Choice Awards
are determined annually by the readers of Scientific Computing, a leading
publication from Advantage Media providing information technology for the
scientific community. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.
Labtronics Announces On-line RS232 Setup
and Connection Videos
Labtronics Inc. has posted 4 videos on their website to help people who want
to collect data from RS232 instruments and devices. The videos provide step
by step demonstrations showing how to connect a balance or scale to Excel,
how to setup a "wedge" interface, how to create a comma delimited
file using serial data collected from a force gauge and how to setup and add
new instruments to the Instrument Library in Labtronics' Collect software.
"These videos clearly demonstrate how with the right tools anyone can
enjoy the real benefits of RS232 data collection without requiring much technical
knowledge or needing to spend a lot of time setting up the interfaces",
said Mike DeWitte VP Sales & Marketing for Labtronics' Device Integration
Group. "After viewing the RS232 tutorials, I'm certain many visitors
will want to take advantage of the free Collect software trial download to
try it out with their instruments." For details and links to the videos
and free software trial requests, visit http://www.labtronics.com/DI/RS232_Software.htm.
Atrium Research Publishes Results of 2008 ELN
Survey
Atrium Research, an independent market research organization dedicated to
scientific informatics, has announced the availability of the 2008 Electronic
Laboratory Notebook Survey. This study contains the results and analysis of
a survey of information technology, management, and scientific personnel in
the life sciences, chemical, academic, government and food markets. Comprehensive
data and analysis are reported on dozens of questions answered by 527 professionals
from over twenty countries. This 140 page report containing 130 charts and
tables highlights user and prospective user opinions on data management challenges,
technology interest, motivations, project goals, purchase timing, integration
needs, and supplier product and brand perception. Comparisons are made with
Atrium Research's 2006 ELN survey to highlight market trends. The market for
ELNs is exploding with over thirty suppliers offering commercial solutions.
One of the fastest growing informatics markets with a growth rate of nearly
20 per cent per year, ELN is radically improving the effectiveness of laboratory
operations. ELN enables new approaches to knowledge management, collaboration,
and data integration. “We project sustained double-digit growth for
ELN for at least the next three years” said Michael H Elliott, founder
and CEO of Atrium Research. “Our study shows the use of the technology
is expanding beyond early adopters in research synthetic chemistry into domains
such as biology and analytical chemistry. Commercial life sciences continue
to lead adoption; over 30% of biopharmaceutical companies have installed ELN
in at least one department.” For details, visit http://www.atriumresearch.com/html/eln_report2.htm.
STARLIMS Consolidates Direct Presence in Europe;
Hires LIMS Veteran Joe Peden to Head STARLIMS Europe
STARLIMS Technologies Ltd. has announced the establishment of STARLIMS Europe
as a result of the May 2008 acquisition of its long-time United Kingdom partner,
and the hiring of LIMS veteran Joe Peden as general manager of the new subsidiary.
"Having acquired our long-standing UK partner as the keystone for STARLIMS
Europe, we are poised to take advantage of the increasing number of opportunities
within Europe, and to enhance our local professional services capabilities,”
said STARLIMS CEO Itschak Friedman. “The UK team represents an exceptional
LIMS talent pool with many years of experience selling, implementing and supporting
STARLIMS products. Having closed the acquisition in May, we are already deep
into the integration process and actively hiring additional sales and service
staff to support growing UK and pan-European activities. We are delighted
to announce that Joe Peden will join us as general manager of STARLIMS Europe,
bringing a
wealth of expertise in almost every area of the LIMS business as well as proven
leadership experience." Mr. Peden will be responsible for managing the
growth of our European business, while also contributing
to corporate product development. “With Joe Peden’s leadership,
we believe STARLIMS Europe can make
significant advances in terms of sales, marketing and project delivery, leading
to substantial market share growth in this region,” Friedman said. Mr.
Peden has two decades of experience in LIMS product development, marketing,
sales and executive positions. Before joining STARLIMS, he was president and
chief operating officer of Ardenno, a provider of collaborative knowledge
management software solutions for research and development. Previously, Mr.
Peden worked for Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he became senior director
of marketing and product management for the informatics group. Previous responsibilities
at Thermo Fisher Scientific included the development of strategic partnerships
for the laboratory information management group, and leading launch initiatives
for new products in market segments including bio-informatics research and
development. Mr. Peden holds a B.Sc. degree in genetics and microbiology and
M.Sc. degree in biotechnology, both from the Queen's University of Belfast,
where he graduated with honors. He is frequently invited as a speaker at industry
conferences. "STARLIMS is uniquely positioned to leverage its leadership
position in the global LIMS market and make a significant leap forward in
the European region,” said Mr. Peden. “I can think of no other
LIMS solution that can deliver a comprehensive, integrated, multi-site, web-based
laboratory informatics platform – and that is precisely what many Europe-based
companies are seeking. I look forward to working with the STARLIMS team to
further develop the company’s reach in the European LIMS markets."
For details, visit http://www.starlims.com.
Inks and Coatings Manufacturer Cuts IT Costs
with DEACOM ERP Software
American Inks and Coatings has implemented the DEACOM Integrated Accounting
and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software System to simplify its software
and hardware environment by integrating its business processes in a single
system. Prior to the selection of DEACOM, the producer of high-quality inks
and coatings for the commercial packaging industry used three customized software
systems and more than 20 servers to manage its six manufacturing facilities,
IT office, and home office. "We had interfaces which let our three custom-written
systems work together. The problem was they didn't always work," explains
Rob Raeke, Controller of American Inks and Coatings. "It took a full-time
project manager and a programmer to keep daily tasks running and the system
data linked. With DEACOM, our daily suspended batches are gone, we closed
our offsite IT office, and our IT staff has gone from four to one." Since
going live on the DEACOM System in May of 2008, American Inks and Coatings
now handles formulation and lab management, sales order entry, accounting/financials,
purchasing, regulatory reporting, inventory control and lot tracking, and
production processes in one software system, which runs on two servers. Raeke
says, "With fewer servers and only one software system to manage, DEACOM
has allowed us to run our department less like an IT software project and
more like a business." For details, visit http://www.deacom.net.
Bruker Corporation Reports Second Quarter
2008 Financial Results
Bruker Corporation has reported its financial results for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2008. On February 26, 2008, Bruker BioSciences Corporation
closed its acquisition of the Bruker BioSpin Group, and renamed itself Bruker
Corporation. Under US GAAP, this transaction is accounted for as an acquisition
of businesses under common control, and as a result all one-time transaction
costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred, rather than being
added to goodwill. In addition, expenses incurred subsequent to the consummation
of the acquisition, such as interest expenses incurred on acquisition related
debt, are not reflected in the financial results of periods prior to the date
of the acquisition, as they typically would be in pro-forma financials in
acquisitions of unrelated parties. After the closing of the transaction all
historical financial statements are required to be restated by combining the
historical consolidated financial statements of Bruker BioSciences Corporation
with those of the Bruker BioSpin Group. Accordingly, the financial results
for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, included within
this release, represent the combined historical consolidated financial statements
of Bruker BioSciences Corporation with those of the Bruker BioSpin Group.
With regard to financial results, in the second quarter of 2008, revenue increased
31% to $311.5 million, compared to revenue of $238.3 million in the second
quarter of 2007. Excluding the effects of foreign currency translation, second
quarter 2008 revenue increased by 19% year-over-year. Net income in the second
quarter of 2008 was $21.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to
net income of $17.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the second quarter
of 2007. Included in net income for the second quarter of 2008 were after-tax
charges of $0.3 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, for expenses related
to the acquisition of the Bruker BioSpin Group. For the six months ended June
30, 2008, revenue increased 23% to $549.9 million, compared to revenue of
$445.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007. Excluding the effects
of foreign currency translation, revenue for the six months ended June 30,
2008 increased by 13% year-over-year. Net income during the six months ended
June 30, 2008 was $21.0 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net
income of $32.0 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, during the six months
ended June 30, 2007. Included in GAAP EPS for the six months ended June 30,
2008 were Bruker BioSpin acquisition related expenses of ($0.04) per diluted
share, foreign exchange losses of ($0.04) per diluted share, and interest
expense on acquisition related debt of ($0.03) per diluted share, with a cumulative
effect of ($0.11) per diluted share. For comparison, included in net income
for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were foreign exchange gains of $0.4
million, or $0.00 per diluted share, and there were no acquisition related
charges or acquisition related interest expense. During the second quarter
of 2008, Bruker repaid $158 million of acquisition related debt. As of June
30, 2008, Bruker Corporation had a net debt position of $110.4 million. Frank
Laukien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bruker Corporation, commented: “For
the second quarter of 2008, we are very pleased with our strong revenue growth,
as well as our sequential and year-over-year improvements in net income and
EPS. In the first two quarters of 2008 we experienced significant quarterly
fluctuations in our growth rates and margins, and we expect these fluctuations
to continue going forward. In the first half of 2008, while our GAAP operating
income grew by 7%, our adjusted operating income, which excludes expenses
related to the acquisition of Bruker BioSpin, grew 22%. However, our adjusted
operating margin as a percentage of revenue was essentially flat, and therefore,
in the third quarter of 2008, we intend to reaccelerate our gross margin improvement
programs and to implement various streamlining and expense cutting steps with
the objective of obtaining better margin leverage from our top-line growth.”
Bill Knight, Bruker’s Chief Financial Officer, concluded: “While
the present global market environment is more challenging than a year ago,
we are optimistic that our various medium-term growth and margin initiatives
will continue our positive profitability trends of the last three years. Our
goal remains to drive our margins towards and beyond industry standards, while
maintaining rapid revenue growth.” For details, visit http://www.bruker.com.
FDA Eyes India Offices by 2009 to Ensure Import
Safety
Signaling its intention to enhance monitoring the safety of products destined
for America, the FDA says it will open two offices in India by next year.
The offices, to be located in Delhi and Mumbai, are part of the agency’s
FDA Without Borders initiative, announced by FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach
in March. A growing number of drugs, medical devices and food products from
India are being imported to the U.S., and the FDA “believes we can better
help assure the safety and manufacturing quality of these products by having
FDA personnel full time in India to work with our counterpart agencies there,”
Christopher Kelly, a spokesman for the agency’s Office of International
Programs, said. The offices will help the FDA “make better, more risk-based
decisions on where to use our inspection resources — both in the field
and at our borders,” he said.
Besides inspecting India-based companies, the FDA will work with private and
public entities interested in certifying that products headed for the U.S.
market meet U.S. public health standards. As part of the FDA Without Borders
initiative, the agency is finalizing an agreement with the Chinese government
to open three offices there, Kelly said. Plans to open offices in the Middle
East, Latin America and Europe also are under way. For details, visit http://www.fda.gov.
FDA to Emphasize Safety in Approving
Drug Names
The way in which the FDA approves proposed drug names is changing as the agency
increases its focus on drug safety through preventing medication errors. The
Division of Medication Error Prevention (DMEDP) is taking the lead in regulatory
actions related to proprietary name review and medication error prevention,
Susan Proulx, president of Med-ERRS, said at an FDAnews audioconference in
late July 2008. Previously, DMEDP checked proposed drug names to see if they
were similar enough to existing drug names to potentially cause medication
errors. It then issued a recommendation to the relevant drug-reviewing division,
which could overrule it. Under a memorandum of agreement signed this month
between the FDA's Office of New Drugs and Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology
(OSE), "there will be more transparency, and DMEDP will have more say,"
Proulx said. DMEDP may get the final say on whether a proposed drug name can
be approved rather than the reviewing division, she added. The goal is to
improve drug safety by decreasing the risk of medication errors caused by
name confusion. For details, visit http://www.fda.gov.
FDA Launches Fellowship Program
In an effort to attract more scientific talent to the FDA, the agency is launching
a two-year fellowship program designed to train scientists and engineers on
the scientific foundations of its regulatory actions. The program will
start in October, and the agency is considering applicants for 30–40
slots in the first entering class. Applicants must have a doctoral degree
in medicine or another scientific field or at least a bachelor’s degree
for engineering positions. "To fulfill our mission over the coming decade,
we will need to recruit thousands of highly skilled scientists and others
with specialized and relevant expertise,” Frank Torti, principal deputy
commissioner and chief scientist, said. "The FDA Commissioner’s
Fellowship Program is designed to attract these people to the FDA and provide
them with in-depth knowledge of the science that underpins regulatory decisions
as we meet the challenges of both globalization and rapid changes in science
and technology,” he said. For details, visit http://www.fda.gov.
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