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Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Flexible Lab Solutions have been working hard to focus the business solely on laboratory automation. Our recent attendance at the ELRIG Drug Discovery event, was the first opportunity in nearly two years to launch some of these products, meet up with valued customers and introduce ourselves to some new faces.
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Launched at the ELRIG Drug Discovery event in Liverpool UK, Flexible Lab Solutions were proud to showcase their new fully automated benchtop liquid handler and Fusion control software. Offering programming control options usually found on devices many times more expensive, the instrument was specifically designed to bring laboratory automation to the masses and forego the all-too-common programming complexities. Scientists with even only a moderate experience of using a pipette can create, edit and run advanced liquid handling techniques.
Appropriately titled "After the Storm", the ELRIG organisers were keen to make good on their Re-Connect, Re-Invent, Re-Imagine slogan, something which they certainly did. Expanded across two halls to maintain social distancing, the event was both a success and a keen reminder of what has been lost since the pandemic took hold all those months ago. Initial concerns that visitor numbers would be drastically reduced, proved to be unfounded, as over 1500 delegates attended across two days.
Whilst many exhibitors cautiously tempered their displays to simple tables, Flexible Lab Solutions were keen to showcase their new Apex 4 liquid handler, integrated onto a SmartBench with a robot and stackers. With a small footprint and interchangeable heads, the Apex 4 is an ideal advancement for any laboratory manager looking to introduce automation into their process without blowing the whole year’s budget. Four deck positions and automated tip loading, provide the flexibility to carry out a multitude of general operations, such as microplate replication, serial dilution or simply adding reagents.
Overall, the reception was extremely positive, with a heightened interest in both the Apex system and the LabworX product range in general. Perhaps the most surprising element of the whole venture was the new wave of scientists looking to engage with automation. Whilst long established in many HTS laboratories or CRO organisations, it would appear that if there is any advancement to come from Covid-19, it may just be that automation will be at the heart of it.