Software provides simplified 'walk-up' access to chemical analysis and purification systems based on high-performance liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer systems
Agilent Technologies Europe has introduced software to help chemists more easily analyse and purify large numbers of organically synthesised drug candidates.
The Agilent Purify Easy Access software provides simplified 'walk-up' access to powerful, high-volume chemical analysis and purification systems based on Agilent's industry-leading, high-performance liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer (LC/MS) systems.
The cost of biological testing of new drug candidates is high and continues to rise.
To counter this, the trend in drug discovery has shifted to producing compounds of higher purity.
This helps ensure that the biological screening will be more meaningful and helps avoid ambiguities related to impurities and side products present with the target drug.
Synthetic chemists want to concentrate on organic synthesis issues and minimise the time spent on the analysis and purification of their compounds.
The Purify Easy Access software allows users to simply walk up with their samples, input basic sample information, choose an appropriate purification scheme, load their samples, and then return to their labs.
E-mail notification tells them when purification of their samples has been completed.
Sample input is easy; all the user has to do is select the appropriate study template, enter a few pieces of information such as study name, and load the samples in the locations indicated by the software.
The software also supports entry of sample information from comma-separated-value (CSV) files.
Complete system and sample information is always available including: current system status; estimated time to complete all the studies in the queue; name of the study that is running; estimated time to complete the current study; and colour-coded status of individual samples and fractions in a well plate.
The system can be directed to send the results of the purification to selected users by e-mail.
All relevant information such as fraction list with well locations, MS and UV chromatograms, and purity data are available as e-mail attachments.
Flexible administration tools allow the system administrator to manage user access, monitor sample queuing, and establish and manage methods.
User access can be limited as appropriate including the use of optional passwords.
The administrator can also move priority samples to the front of the queue.
