Case Study

Lab advantage

NPIL has started using LabVantage's SapphireTM, an innovative LIMS solutions for laboratory automation and integration to commensurate with their corporate vision to use best-in-class software to enhance their business processes.

Need

There is more stress on R&D activity across the globe to generate a block buster drug pipeline which requires high throughput screening, in-depth micro level sample tracking and traceability studies. There is a boom in the biotech sector and genome study which needs high throughput spread from the limited field of drug candidate screening to gene screening and protein screening. This makes LIMS a necessity, even in fundamental laboratories. This ensures end-to-end drug discovery research management to reduce / optimise research life cycle; effective resource planning for men, machine and material; effective instrument calibration and maintenance system and enterprise quality management and quality optimisation and USFDA quality compliance.

Implementation

Harish Chawla, CIO, NPIL, says, "We selected Sapphire for our LIMS implementation after evaluating a number of Indian and international packages. We also visited a number of other installations before we took the decision." The total implementation was worked in two phases and they have completed phase I implementation. which has gone live in all the departments of R&D. Phase II of the implementation is in progress now. LabVantage has its own Accelerated COMPASS methodology which starts with formal project kick-off to exhaustive business process requirement study; mapping in to Sapphire, GAP analysis, and it goes on in a very defined way till system goes live. LabVantage’s processes are customised for each project.

Benefit

The benefits are manifold for NPIL with this implementation of Saphire LIMS. LIMS provides easier access to data for both internal and external business customers and also facilitates better analytics and consistency in reporting. It enables efficient record keeping for internal, as well as, regulatory reasons. The system provided an integrated solution connecting the research software system. The gross productivity of scientists, vis-à-vis, research centre increased by 40 percent. The total elapsing time for 'concept-to-market' for targeted drug research was also reduced to a great degree. This also helped save operational expenses and increased productivity. Finally, LIMS helped improve the overall quality of lab information management system.