New Genedata Screener 18 Pushes the Envelope on Automated Analysis Workflows

From MS-based to PROTAC to slow-binding assays, latest version of Screener continues to streamline and automate data analysis of new wave of complex assays

June 15, 2021
Basel, Switzerland

Genedata, the leading provider of enterprise software solutions for biopharmaceutical R&D, today announced Genedata Screener^® 18.0, the latest version of its enterprise software for the automated analysis, visualization, and management of screening data from all in-vitro screening assay technologies. Advancing end-to-end automated data analysis workflows, “Screener 18 makes tremendous strides in eliminating the workflow bottlenecks that come with the new wave of complex assays,” noted Othmar Pfannes, Ph.D., CEO of Genedata. The new version will debut in the “What’s New in Screener 18 Webinar” (June 30, 2021).

Screener 18: New Technologies at Any Scale – Support for Next-generation Therapeutics
The new version of Genedata Screener continues to support a broad range of therapeutic modalities, including novel proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), and the latest state-of-the-art technologies such as antibody characterization by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Genedata Screener efficiently automates complex assay data analysis processes thereby eliminating the need and associated cost of assay-specific data experts. For example, Screener 18 automates the analysis of slow-binding assays to determine mechanism of action (MoA) of drug candidates, enabling fully unattended workflows. The value of automation is realized in other ways as well. Genedata Screener automates the validation of data quality, which effectively eliminates interpretation bias to improve decision making.

Independent of the instrumentation used, Screener 18 now leverages the rich output and cost-efficiency of mass spectrometry-based screening. Screener unifies fragmented workflows and consolidates analysis into a single end-to-end solution – from import of raw MS spectra to reporting to final results. Scalable and optimized algorithms for MS-specific analyses deliver excellent performance even with the largest screens and high specificity with information-rich MS assays. These unique capabilities can effectively expand MS screening across the entire R&D organization in a highly efficient way.

Support for PROTAC screens, a new R&D modality at top biopharmas and CROs, is promoted as well in version 18. Using highly advanced calculation methods, rapid and automatic analysis of PROTAC assays can easily be upscaled to high throughput. Uniquely analyzing these molecules in an automated manner, this new method reduces analysis time significantly while improving data quality for PROTAC optimization in the research process.

Additional new features in Screener 18 include:

• Extended support for electrophysiology-based screening with deep integration of Screener with Sophion Bioscience Qube 384 and QPatch II.
• New SPR analysis capabilities for faster experiments in the characterization of antibodies by binding strength.
• Easy compliance with FAIR data principles as the Assay Catalog now enables full capture and versioning of assay definitions while the Hit Profiler module consolidates all assay information on the screened molecules for hit triage.
• In-application configuration and deployment of custom calculations and integrations allow data scientists and IT personnel to easily adapt Screener to evolving R&D needs.

“Screener 18 reflects Genedata’s deep commitment to supporting innovative R&D organizations that are digitalizing their processes and fully automating highly complex analysis workflows,” said Pfannes. “We continually raise the bar on automated data analysis by breaking down barriers and eliminating workflow bottlenecks to accelerate the pace of discovery for new life-saving therapies.”

Editorial Note: New features and capabilities in Screener 18 will be discussed in the Genedata webinar – What’s New in Screener 18. Registration is open for Session 1 and Session 2 on June 30, 2021.