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6 Pharmaceutical Technology LABORATORY BEST PRACTICES 2018 P h a r mTe c h . c o m step; for example, a scientist can hand off an activ- ity to a cobot to send to a larger automation pro- cess, notes Daniel DiSepio, global head of Applica- tions at Biosero, a company that provides software and integrated solutions for automating workflows for the life sciences. "Cobots are allowing R&D sci- entists to work simultaneously with automated sys- tems to complete work or recover from errors. In quality control labs, all of the same benefits apply, where co-robotics also improve sample tracking and reduce human error," says DiSepio. Other specialist companies design end-of-arm tooling for specific tasks. For example, grippers with built-in sensors can handle more complicated applications that require a sense of touch, notes Kristian Hulgard, general manager of OnRobot, which supplies grippers with force torque sensors that can screw caps onto containers. Universal Robots launched a new e-Series col- laborative robot platform in June 2018 with built-in force/torque sensing, more precise control, and a faster response time, says Brian Dillman, area sales manager for Universal Robots. GMP requirements Cobots and automation systems can be designed for working in good manufacturing practice (GMP) and good laboratory practice (GLP) environments. These areas have strict requirements for safety and documentation. "The real differentiator for the GMP areas is the tracking of the processes. FANUC has password protection, which can prohibit unnecessary pro- gram modification along with ZDT (Zero Down Time). The ZDT software will track every program change made, allowing laboratories to maintain the high standards required in GMP environments," notes Garrett. In addition, some FANUC robots are specifically designed for cleanroom environ- ments, with a more durable epoxy paint, stainless- steel hex-head fasteners, food-grade grease, and stainless-steel face plates. Many cobots are International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Cleanroom Class 5 systems that can usually be used without any additional coverings, says Abreu. "It is always recommended that a system integrator or end-user perform a de- Automation Cobots for Personalized Cancer Therapy Formulation and Bioassays Cobots are being used in pharmaceutical drug discovery and drug development labs and in labs for personalized medicine formulation. For example, cobots are being used to screen drugs for personalized oncology, where automated handling allows researchers to screen large numbers of existing drugs and possible combinations to identify those that are actionable for an individual patient. Notable Labs, for example, is using Labcyte's Echo acoustic droplet ejection technology for automated liquid handling (1). The technology allows the company to use even small volumes of cells from patients. R&D drug development labs implement automation to minimize statistical errors and develop robust bioassays that will span a product's lifecycle. "Acoustic dispensing and automation are attractive to these groups because it reduces the dependency on trained analysts for reliable and repeatable results, making it easier to deploy these bioassays to GMP labs," explains Ruth Petersen, Market Development manager for Drug Discovery at Labcyte, Inc. In addition, Labcyte's Echo 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Manager software manages and tracks users and electronic records, providing the FDA-required infrastructure for GMP labs. Reference 1. Labcyte, "Notable Labs and Their Mission to Provide Individualized Cancer Therapy," www.labcyte.com/resources/videos/notable- labs-individualized-cancer-therapy , accessed Oct. 1, 2018.