Analytical Chemistry Collaboration to Automate Sample Extraction Procedures

A collaborative agreement in the field of analytical chemistry will bring sample extraction of samples for chromatography directly to a series of automated, robotic liquid handling platforms.

The agreement will see the adaptation of the Phenomenex, Inc. (Torrance, CA, USA) Strata and Strata-X SPE solid phase extraction (SPE) tools for use on the Tecan (Männedorf, Switzerland) Freedom EVO series of robotics workstations.


SPE is a widely used technique for preparing samples prior to chromatographic analysis. Phenomenex Strata and Strata-X SPE sorbents remove unwanted contaminants, including phospholipids, and are offered with a number of discrete specificities that cover a diverse range of analytes.

The Tecan Freedom EVO series offers worktables with building-block modularity that ensures precision, reliable liquid handling, and easy-to-use robotics. Each platform can be combined with a wide choice of robotic arms, liquid handling tools, and application options powered by straightforward software that can be programmed to meet the needs of each individual laboratory. The EVO platform allows a choice of pipetting technologies on the same platform, including the possibility of combining both air and liquid displacement on a single workstation.

The two companies will jointly market Phenomenx SPE reagents that have been adapted for use on the Tecan Freedom EVO. Tecan will provide the instruments and automation support, and Phenomenex will provide the extraction chemistries as well as application and method development. The modified instruments will be particularly suitable for high-throughput customers in pharmaceutical research, clinical, and food testing environments using mass spectrometry detection methods.

“We created this agreement with our high-throughput customers in mind,” said Michael McGinley, core products manager at Phenomenex. “We can now bring them complete, automated solutions, simplifying the previously daunting task of adapting a manual method to laboratory automation. The engineers at Tecan have an amazing insight on how to optimally automate liquid handling and the Freedom EVO is a proven platform with an established track record for reliability.”

“Phenomenex has a large customer base using their SPE products,” said James O’Brien, head of clinical diagnostics at Tecan. “By co-marketing our robotic workstations with their chemistries, we expect to expand our reach in these high-volume industries.”

Related Links:
Phenomenex, Inc.
Tecan