Merck and Opentrons Labworks partner to create custom robotic workstation
Merck and Opentrons have partnered to automate assay workflows, enhancing consistency and efficiency with robotic systems.
Merck (Darmstadt, Germany) has entered into a multi-year agreement with Opentrons Labworks, Inc. (NY, USA), a pioneer in lab automation and robotics, to boost assay kit automation using a customized Opentrons Flex® workstation. As part of the collaboration, scientists and engineers will work in partnership to develop and validate platform workflows that integrate Merck’s extensive range of automation-enabled assays. The partnership aims to improve consistency and increase throughput by minimizing manual processing and repetitive tasks, using a user-friendly robotic system to streamline laboratory operations.
“Our customers are prioritizing tools and technologies that improve reproducibility and productivity, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks that take their science further, faster,” explained Jean-Charles Wirth, Head of Science & Lab Solutions for the Life Science business of Merck. “Our partnership with Opentrons reinforces our focus to automate and digitalize the lab – supporting scientists at all stages with tools that can increase efficiency, safety and success rates of delivering new potential therapeutics.”
Commencing mid-2025, customers will be able to order workstations and assay kits directly from Merck, expanding access to automated laboratory solutions. The products will support a wide range of applications, including protein sample preparation, molecular and cell-based workflows, as well as various biochemical and chemistry processes. Additional workflows will also continue to be introduced throughout the duration of the agreement.
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“Part of our commitment to making lab automation as accessible as possible is finding partners who share a similar vision,” commented Jonathan Brennan-Badal, CEO of Opentrons. “Merck Life Science is a proven leader in terms of the breadth and quality of products they offer for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and we’re excited to combine that with our ability to provide world-class automation, service and support.”
Coupling Opentrons’ expertise in automation and service excellence with Merck’s robust research and development supply chain and quality systems, the collaboration aims to deliver reliable, high-performance solutions for researchers. The partnership aims to streamline workflows from sample preparation to analysis across various fields, including immunodetection, protein research, enzyme technology, genome editing, omics research, pharmaceutical development, service and testing and cell culture.
