From bottleneck to breakthrough: a tool that helps accelerate discovery

22 Sept 2025

In the fast-paced world of drug discovery and development, every moment counts. As we race against time to bring life-changing therapies to market, it's crucial to optimize every step of our research processes. Today, we're excited to share how automated liquid handling can transform your lab's efficiency, precision, and throughput.

The hidden bottleneck in your workflow

While advanced analytical tools have dramatically increased our research capabilities, they've also intensified the demands on sample and reagent preparation. Manual pipetting, once a standard practice, has become a potential bottleneck – time-consuming, error-prone, and struggling to keep pace with modern research needs.

Introducing the Fontus™ Automated Liquid Handling Workstations

Revvity's Fontus workstations are designed to address these challenges head-on. By automating labor-intensive and error-prone manual pipetting steps, they maximize repeatability and traceability while offering the flexibility to adapt to a wide range of applications.

Fontus key features:

Precision pipetting: With eight independent channels, liquid-level sensing, and sub-5% CV accuracy even at low microliter volumes, and an optional 2^nd pipetting arm featuring a 96 or 384 array head, Fontus systems enable consistent and reliable results.
Scalable throughput: Available in small, standard, and expanded deck sizes with single or dual-arm configurations, Fontus capabilities can grow with your lab's needs.
Enhanced traceability: Robust audit trails and detailed logs streamline compliance and data verification.
Versatility Across Applications: From lead optimization to high-throughput screening and toxicology workflows, Fontus adapts to diverse research needs.

Spotlight on flow cytometry: a game-changer for complex assays

Flow cytometry has become an indispensable tool in drug discovery and clinical workflows. However, the increasing complexity of assays – often requiring 20 or more antibodies and hundreds of combinations – has pushed manual preparation methods to their limits.

The Fontus workstations transform flow cytometry workflows by:

Automating cocktail preparation for precise and consistent dispensing.
Processing patient samples alongside cocktails for seamless integration.
Offering flexible deck setups with cooling blocks and light protection.
Providing compatibility with reagents from multiple vendors, including BioLegend.

Real-world impact: precision, efficiency, and compliance

By adopting the Fontus automated liquid handling system, labs can expect:

Increased accuracy and reproducibility in sample preparation.
Significant time savings, allowing researchers to focus on analysis and discovery.
Enhanced compliance with integrated barcode scanning and FDA 21 CFR Part 11-ready software.
Improved experimental data quality and consistency.

Beyond flow cytometry: versatility across research applications

While flow cytometry showcases the power of Fontus automation, its benefits extend across various research applications. The adaptable deck layout and compatibility with diverse labware make it a valuable asset in:

Lead optimization studies.
High-throughput screening campaigns.
Toxicology assessments.
And many more research areas.

Customization and support: tailored to your needs

We understand that every lab has unique requirements. That's why the Fontus systems offer:

Customizable deck layouts.
Application-specific configurations, such as NGS, HTS, or flow cytometry.
Automated vendor-qualified NGS methods.
And expert support for custom method development and optimization.

Investing in the future of your lab

In today's competitive research landscape, staying ahead means embracing technologies that enhance efficiency, precision, and reproducibility. The Fontus automated liquid handling workstation represents more than just a tool – it's an investment in your lab's future.

By automating repetitive tasks, delivering consistent results, and freeing up valuable researcher time, Fontus liquid handlers can empower your team to focus on what truly matters: groundbreaking discoveries and accelerated drug development.

Take the next step

Don't let manual pipetting hold your research back. Embrace the future of liquid handling with Fontus automation and accelerate your path to breakthrough discoveries.