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2009: The Year in Review
A Look Back at 2009 Shows Dynamic, Far-reaching Changes in the LIMS Industry

There is a group of friends who end each year by writing down all the negative things that happened on scraps of paper and tossing those scraps into the fire, enabling them to start the new year fresh and unencumbered.

Looking back at 2009, there are certainly things to throw into the fire: an evil economy, loss of jobs, loss of sales. Fortunately the LIMS industry was not hit as hard as other sectors. Of course there was streamlining–from internal reorganizations to mergers and acquisitions–but companies continued to install new LIMS, new LIMS were introduced, and a plethora of enhancements and add-ons for existing LIMS were offered. Many Informatics vendors reported strong sales and growth during the year.

Certainly 2010 holds the promise for a brighter future: the economy should rise out of the doldrums and companies should continue to invest in software that can enhance laboratory productivity and data management. A close eye will continue to be kept on operating costs, hence the market for the new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) LIMS should grow. The Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) market should also grow as companies upgrade their systems to realize the benefits of this technology for the lab.

The annual Pittsburgh Conference (PittCon) in March 2009 heralded the release of many new products and solutions, as it should since it is the big analytical industry gathering, and remains the only conference where the majority of LIMS and Informatics vendors gather. However new products were announced throughout the year, indicating continued efforts on the part of the vendors to improve their product offerings as well as continued capability to do so.

From the top of the year when LabAnswer acquired Laboratory Automation Solutions in January to July when the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity picked up steam with the announcements that LabVantage would acquire Life Technologies’ SQL*LIMS business and that IDBS would acquire InforSense to the startling news in December that Abbott would acquire STARLIMS, 2009 definitely saw increased M&A activity. Perhaps the Abbott acquisition was foreshadowed by the increased energy by Microsoft and other such vendors to make inroads into the Analytical field.

Now would be a good time to write down not only resolutions for the new year, but a resolve to release the problems of the past year, consigning them to the fire. Following is a summary of the brightest news from 2009, with the LIMSletter’s annual Top Ten lists of LIMS and Informatics news.


Top Ten LIMS & Informatics Industry News in 2009

LabVantage Acquired Life Technologies’ SQL*LIMS Business

LabVantage Solutions acquired Life Technologies Corporation’s SQL*LIMS business, uniting their thin-client LIMS, SAPPHIRE, with SQL*LIMS’ team of experienced LIMS professionals. The SQL*LIMS business from Applied Biosystems, a part of Life Technologies, is an enterprise LIMS provider that manages the laboratory process lifecycle. With almost all of the SQL*LIMS employees transferring to LabVantage, SQL*LIMS customers can rest assured that their investment in SQL*LIMS will be well-protected. LabVantage will continue to support SQL*LIMS in accordance with the current SQL*LIMS product support matrix. LabVantage plans to continue to implement and sell the SQL*LIMS product. For details, visit http://www.labvantage.com.

Abbott to Acquire STARLIMS Technologies Ltd

Abbott has announced a definitive agreement to acquire STARLIMS Technologies Ltd. for approximately $123 million in cash. The acquisition strengthens Abbott's competitive position in the global diagnostics market, providing advanced web-based applications to help laboratories efficiently store, retrieve and analyze a significantly increasing volume of clinical, managerial and administrative data. As Abbott integrates STARLIMS into its existing portfolio of laboratory information management products, the company will continue to support and expand the non-clinical market segments currently served by STARLIMS. Abbott expects the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2010. For details, visit http://www.starlims.com.

Agilent Purchased Varian for $1.5B

Agilent Technologies paid $1.5 billion in cash to take over Varian. The acquisition will broaden Agilent’s offerings in life sciences, environmental, as well as energy and materials. It also expands its product portfolio into atomic and molecular spectroscopy and establishes a stronghold in NMR, imaging, as well as vacuum technologies. Agilent will pay $52 cash per share. The transaction is expected to generate $75 million in annual cost synergies and achieve Agilent’s 20% return on invested capital target within four to five years. For details, visit http://www.agilent.com.

IDBS Acquired InforSense to Provide End-to-End Solutions for Research & Development Data Management

IDBS, a leading provider of innovative data management solutions to multinational R&D organizations, acquired InforSense Ltd, a company providing award-winning scientific and business intelligence (BI) technologies. InforSense’s rapid data integration technologies and web-based interactive analytics complement IDBS’ suite of secure, context-rich data management solutions. The transaction creates a unique supplier who can deliver the entire capture, integration and decision-making infrastructure for R&D organizations worldwide. With the addition of the InforSense product portfolio, IDBS will expand its large scale data integration activities to support international data sharing and broaden its life sciences portfolio into the emerging growth area of biomarker development and personalized medicine. For details, visit http://www.idbs.com.

Microsoft Acquired Assets of Rosetta Biosoftware from Merck & Co

Microsoft Corp. signed an agreement with Merck & Co. Inc. to acquire certain assets of Rosetta Biosoftware, a business unit of Rosetta Inpharmatics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co. Inc. The deal allows Microsoft to incorporate genetic, genomic, metabolomic and proteomics data management software into the Microsoft Amalga Life Sciences platform for enhanced translational research capabilities. In addition, Microsoft will establish a strategic relationship with Merck to enhance the Amalga Life Sciences platform to meet emerging pharmaceutical research needs. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will become a customer of the Microsoft Amalga Life Sciences 2009 platform and also will provide strategic input to Microsoft on the direction and evolution of new solutions incorporating Rosetta Biosoftware technologies. The software platform will help drive improvements in Merck’s already advanced research capabilities. For details, visit http://www.Microsoft.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific and Symyx Technologies Delivered Efficiency Enhancements to Bioanalytical Researchers with Integrated LIMS and ELN Solution

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced the release of a joint product development effort resulting from its partnership with Symyx Technologies. The solution will provide scientists in the bioanalytical community with a completely automated laboratory workflow by integrating Thermo Scientific Watson LIMS with Symyx’ electronic lab notebook (ELN) Notebook. The integration of Thermo Scientific Watson LIMS with Symyx Notebook enables bioanalytical scientists to drive their existing workflow in Watson LIMS, with the added benefit of performing sample preparation, managing instrument calibration and maintenance and completing the experimental record in Symyx Notebook, all under GLP compliance. The LIMS and ELN integration provides the solution needed to help the bioanalytical laboratory migrate from paper-based systems and manual data transcription processes to fully electronic, automated laboratory workflows, enabling research scientists to eliminate costly and time-consuming manual data manipulation methods. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

Waters and LabVantage Solutions Announced Lab Software Partnership

Waters Corporation and LabVantage Solutions, Inc. have jointly announced a strategic partnership to integrate laboratory software for improved efficiency and effectiveness at laboratory dependent organizations. Collaborating with existing common customers, Waters and LabVantage have already successfully integrated LabVantage's SAPPHIRE Laboratory Information Management Suite (LIMS) with Waters NuGenesis Scientific Data Management System (SDMS) and Empower 2 Chromatography Data Software (CDS) solutions. Early results of the relationship have already seen a global pharmaceutical manufacturing organization simplify its laboratory data platforms from 31 site-specific systems to a single integrated, enterprise configuration comprising only two vendor's solutions worldwide: Waters and LabVantage. The intended long-term impact is to eliminate infrastructure silos, harmonize global variations, and maximize scientific data and experience within the organization to increase overall quality of work. For details, visit http://www.waters.com or http://www.labvantage.com.

GenoLogics Teamed with Applied Biosystems on Lab & Data Management Solution for Next Generation Sequencing

GenoLogics teamed with Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies Corporation, to provide an integrated lab and data management solution for their next generation advanced genomic analysis platform, the SOLiD System. The technologies that Applied Biosystems markets include a robust line of DNA sequencing systems and chemistries to meet the increasing demands of the scientific community for higher throughput, more sophisticated DNA sequencing solutions. The SOLiD System is a highly accurate, massively parallel genomic analysis platform that supports a wide range of applications. As a member of the SOLiD Software Development Community, the nature of the relationship between Applied Biosystems and GenoLogics spans both technical and joint marketing initiatives. By making SOLiD technology customers aware of the unique strengths of Geneus, they will see a clear path as to how they can accelerate their next generation sequencing results with a fully integrated lab and data management solution. For details, visit http://www.genologics.com.

LabAnswer Acquired Laboratory Automation Solutions

LabAnswer, a leading laboratory informatics consultancy in North America, announced the formation of LabAnswer – LAS Government Solutions, with the acquisition of Laboratory Automation Solutions (LAS). LabAnswer expects the acquisition to significantly increase their ability to serve federal, state and local government laboratories with the same depth and breadth of expertise that have made us a leader in commercial informatics consulting solutions. LabAnswer is a laboratory informatics consultancy that has the people, processes and experience to deliver enterprise solutions which include single site implementations, global deployments, and complete laboratory informatics outsourcing. For details, visit http://www.labanswer.com.

Accelerated Technology Laboratories and Hach Company Announce dJoint Marketing and Technology Partnership

Accelerated Technology Laboratories and Hach Company, a leading manufacturer of water analytical instruments, reagents and water information management software, announced a joint marketing and technology partnership. The core elements of the partnership include Technology Integration and the Joint Marketing Agreement. Under the agreement, A TL and Hach will provide tighter integration of their respective products for easier management and sharing of critical laboratory and water system data. This collaboration includes a technology-sharing agreement on specific development projects focusing on the integration of ATL Sample Master LIMS and the Hach Water Information Management Solution (Hach WIMS) and enhanced integration of Sample Master LIMS with Hach's laboratory instruments. With Hach's recent decision to discontinue support for Aspen LIMS, Hach and ATL have introduced a Hach Aspen to ATL Sample Master LIMS Migration Program. The goal of this program is to provide commercial Aspen LIMS customers with a unique and attractive migration option to ATL Sample Master's full-featured LIMS. For details, visit http://www.atlab.com or http://www.hach.com.

Top Ten LIMS & Informatics Product News in 2009

LabHQ Introduced New LIMS

LabHQ Ltd. introduced LABHQ LIMS. LabHQ customers will benefit from both a locally installed LIMS application combined with the added advantage of laboratory data fully accessible via the web. Laboratory data is securely accessible wherever there is an internet connection anywhere in the world. The software is based on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) principles and is offered on a cost effective rental basis to be an affordable option for small and large scale laboratories alike. There are no contractual obligations and the subscription can be cancelled at any time with one month notice. This is a completely risk free option for any business with absolutely no capital outlay or hidden costs involved in the purchase and set-up of the system. For details, visit http://www.labhq.com.

Sciformatix Announced New SaaS LIMS

Sciformatix Corporation, a pioneer in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) LIMS, announced the availability of its SciLIMS Samples and Storage Management (SSM): Professional Edition. The SciLIMS SSM Professional Edition provides a professional solution that will accommodate small labs, emerging growth labs, and larger labs. The popularity of cloud computing and SaaS-based LIMS is growing. The new SciLIMS Professional Edition erases limits in many areas (users, container types, storage units, etc.) and raises the bar for other parameters (up to 1 million active samples). Extensive security measures surrounding data management and user access ensure enterprise-class security for SciLIMS customers, whether a lab operates in a single facility or across multiple locations. Its tailorability allows lab professionals to easily customize SciLIMS to the lab’s requirements, without costly customization or system administration services. For details, visit http://www.sciformatix.com.

Stone Bond Technologies Announced MicroLIMS, a SaaS LIMS to Automate Workflows at Microarray Core Laboratories

Stone Bond Technologies announced MicroLIMS, an affordable, on-line SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solution for microarray core laboratories, to complement its EE-LIMS product for life sciences. MicroLIMS is a secure, easy-to-use subscription-based solution that automates laboratory workflow, invoicing, data and sample tracking, collections, and other laboratory processes. MicroLIMS is a comprehensive data management and business process automation solution designed for the needs of today’s microarray core laboratories. Without expensive front-end license and hardware costs, MicroLIMS enables laboratory personnel to easily and efficiently access secure data and share critical research results among specified individuals and organizations. MicroLIMS allows multiple users to input data in a secure environment that helps to reduce errors caused by data entry fatigue. For details, visit http://www.stonebond.com.

Ocimum Biosolutions Announced the Launch of Biotracker Lite LIMS

Ocimum Biosolutions announced the launch of Biotracker Lite, a general purpose version of its Life Sciences Specialty LIMS solution, Biotracker. Biotracker Lite is designed to meet the requirements of small to medium laboratories and offers a gamut of features including: managing samples and their associated data, inventory management, laboratory instrument management and integration, GLP and 21 CFR 11 compliance, ad-hoc and standard reports, and much more. Biotracker Lite is an efficient LIMS solution for Sample Management, Data Management, Inventory Management and Instrument Management which is designed to satisfy the needs of small to medium laboratories. Biotracker Lite enables users to easily manage samples and their associated data as well as tracking amounts, concentrations, availability, storage conditions and location of samples, reagents, enzymes, precursors, chemicals, labware, etc. available in an organization. Additionally, Biotracker Lite provides an easy to use facility for managing laboratory instruments including their validation and maintenance records. Utilizing For details, visit http://lims.ocimumbio.com/biotracker-lite.

PerkinElmer Introduced LABWORKS LIMS 6.1 with Zero Footprint Web Client

PerkinElmer, Inc. released LABWORKS LIMS version 6.1. Building upon the LABWORKS 6.0 platform, LABWORKS 6.1 delivers a LIMS with a zero footprint Web client. This new solution can be effectively deployed with minimal user training and is designed to consistently perform on a wide variety of Web browsers. With foodLIMS, waterLIMS, greenLIMS and processLIMS packages, LABWORKS 6.1 LIMS supports laboratory needs from pre-login sample organization through reporting and data distribution. The LABWORKS base product is a flexible platform that can be quickly deployed and configured to match the specific needs of a laboratory and/or industry. LABWORKS 6.1 retains these key features while allowing the user to take advantage of a Web connected device for information access. LABWORKS 6.1 software features LABWORKS WebTop, a zero footprint platform requiring no software installation on the mobile device and allowing the customer to use any available Web browser to access product testing results when and where they are needed. For details, visit http://www.perkinelmer.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Released Watson LIMS 7.4

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. introduced new functionality to the latest release of its Thermo Scientific Watson LIMS that brings critical time and cost savings to pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs) involved in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) studies for drug discovery and development. The latest release of Watson LIMS delivers improved efficiencies and reduced validation time, contributing to time and cost savings and improved time to market. Of the many new features unique to Watson LIMS, key among them is the new functionality in Watson 7.4 that simplifies daily workflow for bioanalytical laboratories by delivering enhanced functionality for incurred sample reanalysis (ISR). ISR has become an accepted way to assess the quality of bioanalytical assays and is widely accepted within the pharmaceutical industry and by regulatory agencies. Additional new functionality enhancements to Watson 7.4 include performance enhancements in the Design Summary Report, delivering a dramatic increase in reporting speed, enhancements to the Immune Response Module and the Watson Web Services Library, enabling users to more easily manage the status of samples, choose samples with a Positive Screen or a Positive Titer result for use in subsequent assay tests, and import samples and sample-related information from external applications. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

LabLogic Announced New ADME LIMS Release Makes Protein Binding Easier

LabLogic announced that Debra 5.7.6, the latest release of LabLogic's LIMS for drug metabolism studies, implements more than 70 modifications. Principal among them is the introduction of greater flexibility into the new Protein Binding module in order to allow easier set-up of plasma spikes and enhanced reports. "Many of the improvements have been made to accommodate the needs and preferences communicated to us by customers," says system director Huw Loaring. "In the case of Protein Binding, for example, we have been working with an existing user who is upgrading to include the module so that their methodologies are included within Debra. We expect that the changes we have made will help other customers working in the same area." Many other modules benefit from the refinements introduced in Debra 5.7.6, from batch, weigh, dosing, pooling/splitting and treatment methods through to summary tables and security issues such as electronic signatures and audits. For details, visit http://www.lablogic.com.

Ethosoft Released X-LIMS 3.5

Ethosoft announced the release of X-LIMS version 3.5 which offers several major enhancements including improved traceability for inventory control, more methods for results data entry, and compliance with several new regulatory reporting formats for Environmental and Municipal Laboratories. These new features, in conjunction with enhanced existing functionality, leverage the latest Microsoft .NET platform. X-LIMS v3.5 is compatible with the either 32 bit or 64 bit Microsoft technologies, including Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Office 2007. Ethosoft offers laboratories comprehensive LIMS solutions that are within budget and on time while providing customers with expert service and support. For details, visit http://www.ethosoft.com.

Sapio Sciences Announced Exemplar LIMS 3.0.0

Sapio Sciences announced the immediate availability of Exemplar LIMS v3.0.0. Key additions in this release include: The Data Type Designer enabling unlimited data management capabilities with zero programming; Introduction of automatic form\list view combinations; Enhancements to Sapio Synergy to support sharing application definitions between LIMS customers; XML export\import of complete or partial hierarchies of data; Significant visual and usability improvements to the user interface; Availability of complete Affy 6.0 and Illumina Genome Analyzer Best Practice Workflows; and, Complete web based deployment and web based Application Programming Interface. For details, visit http://www.SapioSciences.com.

Accelerated Technology Laboratories Announced Sample Master LIMS 8.5

Accelerated Technology Laboratories (ATL) announced Sample Master LIMS 8.5, the latest upgrade to its flagship LIMS. New functionality in Sample Master LIMS 8.5 includes: Workload management for both instruments and analysts into the Resource Management module; Wildcard support on the "Master Query"; QC batch tracking of standards; Automatic notifications on results utilizing user created criteria such as over/under limits, calculations, etc.; Enhanced QC batching including batching by analysis method; Ability to reprint multiple samples and multiple orders; Modified PDF report naming for auto reporting; Enhanced information for samples, instruments, contacts, results, laboratory, etc. For details, visit http://www.atlab.com.