The Pistoia Alliance targets lab of the future with new project

Proof of concept (PoC) software has been released to help scientists save time and money in the lab through  digital analytical data methods.

Released by not for profit group The Pistoia Alliance as part of its Method Database project, the PoC is to enable the digitisation of analytical method descriptions, specifically for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems.

The Method Database project is one of the first phases of The Pistoia Alliance’s Lab of The Future (LoTF)  initiative, which aims to help scientists save time and money when reproducing experiments of different instruments.

The idea is that through the use of digital methods, AI and deep learning, experiment descriptions can be standardised against common ontology and a common data model, increasing data integrity and scientific reproducibility.

The Pistoia Alliance collaborated with data company Allotrope Foundation, using its Framework technology stack to deliver the MethodDB PoC in a collaboration between major pharmaceutical companies including Merck, Agilent, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AbbVie, as well as software companies OSTHUS and TetraScience.

The PoC works by using the Allotrope Data Format for a standardised way of recording lab methods and will undergo testing to further develop the system.  The Pistoia Alliance is looking for pharmaceutical companies, instrument vendors, and service organisations, to come forward and support phase two of the project.

Many scientists still handwrite their methods, something which is time consuming and difficult. Digitised methods can reduce the room for human error and frees up time for scientists. It’s thought that digitisation can link methods and results together, creating an auditable trail.

“This project is an excellent example of pre-competitive consortia working together to pool resources and expertise,” commented Dr Steve Arlington, president of The Pistoia Alliance. “The project is helping to transform the lab environment, accelerate innovation, and will provide the foundations for successful use of AI platforms in the future. By working together we can help to improve the outcomes of experiments, which in turn will support the development of new life-saving therapies. The MethodDB project covers a complex area and could never be fulfilled by any single entity, so we are pleased to see so many big names in pharma getting on board with this kind of project. We urge more stakeholders to come forward and get involved in this initiative.”

“We are very excited to help lead this project. At Bristol-Myers Squibb, we are committed to improving how we as an industry work through the application of technology and digital transformation of R&D – and the MethodDB is squarely aligned with this objective,” commented Dr Dana Vanderwall, director of Biology & Pre-Clinical IT at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Allotrope Foundation board chair. “We look forward to continuing the collaboration between The Pistoia Alliance and Allotrope Foundation that is driving innovative digital technology into real world applications such as the MethodDB- a tangible example of the kind of capabilities that will help define the Lab of the Future”.