Thermo Fisher Scientific Selected by PRA International to supply LIMS for State-of-the-Art Bioanalytical Laboratory

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, announced today that PRA International, a leading clinical development organization has selected Thermo Scientific Watson LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) to help manage its state-of-the-art Bioanalytical Laboratory, part of its Early Development Services located in Assen in The Netherlands.

PRA International has standardized its laboratory information management systems with Watson LIMS to achieve operational excellence in the management of 150,000 samples per annum. The laboratory analyzes samples for studies undertaken for leading pharmaceutical organizations worldwide. Nearly 100 scientists and staff in the Early Development Services laboratory will use Watson LIMS to help service their clients and manage data from state-of-the-art equipment including sixteen LC MS/MS systems. Watson will control the information and data the laboratory processes - from sample receipt through to sample report.

Thermo Scientific Watson LIMS will be used to further automate the production of reports for pharmaceutical sponsors who contract with PRA International. The Bioanalytical Laboratory has undertaken more than 2,400 studies, and works in a seamless interface with its pharmaceutical sponsor companies. Since Thermo Scientific Watson LIMS is the LIMS of choice for PRA International’s pharmaceutical customers, the decision to standardize on Watson offers a benefit to customers. Peter Ketelaar, vice president of PRA International Bioanalytical Laboratory, explains “The adoption of Thermo Scientific Watson LIMS is part of the site’s continuous investment into efficiency and innovation. Investment in a state-of-the-art LIMS reflects our ongoing adoption of best-in-breed solutions and Watson LIMS fits in that category.”

Mr. Ketelaar says “75% of LIMS in use in our pharmaceutical sponsors’ own working laboratories are Thermo Scientific Watson. The data transfer between sponsor and PRA International is seamless within Watson LIMS, since both sides can view the study and data in the same format. As a result, now that we have standardized on Watson LIMS our sponsors view the LIMS as an additional reason to work with PRA International.”

Watson is a highly specialized, protocol-driven LIMS for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) studies being utilized in 18 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies and leading contract research organizations. PRA selected Watson LIMS not only because of Thermo Fisher’s reputation and market leadership, but because of Watson’s comprehensive purpose-built functionality and ability to help PRA communicate seamlessly with its sponsors.

PRA International works in partnership with pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, providing outsourced services from protocol development to reporting, providing the expertise needed to obtain regulatory approval and to develop safe and effective drugs.