Qiagen's new modular platform for sample and assay processing, QIAsymphony SP, has received the renowned new product award (NPA) designation of the Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA)
The award was presented on 29 January 2008 to Qiagen at LabAutomation in Palm Springs, CA, where Qiagen officially introduced the Qiasymphony SP to the public on January 28.
Qiasymphony SP is the first system in Qiagen's new series of modular instruments which can be integrated to automate entire workflows in a broad range of molecular sample and assay applications.
The novel platform is the result of the largest development programme ever undertaken at Qiagen.
The NPA designation highlights the cutting-edge technologies and innovative features incorporated in Qiasymphony, which sets new levels of flexibility, convenience and safety in sample processing and applications.
The expert jury awarded the prize based upon following criteria: extraordinary technical originality, anticipated impact on the field of laboratory automation, supporting data that respects universal scientific methodology, and market demand.
Products that receive the ALA NPA designation must illustrate the one-step-ahead commitment to efficiency and effectiveness which is unique to laboratory automation.
This is the second ALA award for Qiagen in a row.
In 2007 the company received the ALA NPA designation for Qiacube, its sample processing platform.
"Winning the ALA NPA designation for the second time in a row makes us extremely proud", said Wolfgang Leibinger, global business director automated systems at Qiagen.
"This is not only a most prestigious recognition of Qiagen's innovation capabilities in automation technology and process standardisation.
"It also greatly rewards the dedication of the entire development and marketing teams standing behind this unique platform and it also gives further support to Qiagen's commitment to developing highly innovative and enabling platforms".
Qiasymphony SP allows users to load samples in many formats and of many types and to isolate, purify and prepare target analytes for further analysis.
The system enables the handling of an extensive variety of starting materials and a wide range of input volumes.
Over 40 protocols to process DNA, RNA and proteins have been optimised for use on the Qiasymphony.
The system has incorporated many first-of-their-kind features in molecular processing including the essential features of continuous loading of sample racks, reagents and consumables, and the ability to perform several purification procedures on one batch of samples without reloading reagents (random access).
The system is designed to provide value in a wide bandwidth of throughput settings, from a few samples a day up to a few hundred.
