Artel Expands Liquid Handling Measurement Portfolio

Artel has announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with STRATEC Biomedical AG (Birkenfeld, Germany), a global leader in automated laboratory systems, for the STRATEC Tholos technology, which measures liquid and solid contents of 96- and 384-well microplates.

Artel will be the exclusive marketer for the technology, now called Artel VMS™, in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia and Switzerland. The two companies will also work together on future technology enhancements for the product.

Designed to improve in-line process efficiency and quality assurance in compound management and storage, the VMS can also assess the delivery accuracy and precision of automated liquid handlers.

By sealing and pressurizing individual microplate wells, the VMS measures their contents, down to 1 percent of the potential volume, regardless of the shape, material or color of the well or tube. It is an ideal complement to Artel’s MVS® Multichannel Verification System, which verifies aqueous-based volume transfers.

“This system closes a gap in automation processes,” says Marcus Wolfinger, chairman, Board of Management of STRATEC. “We are very proud to have gained Artel, the global market leader in liquid handling quality assurance, as a partner.”

“Our customers will benefit from this powerful technology, which further enhances their ability to ensure high-quality results,” adds Kirby Pilcher, president of Artel. “The partnership with STRATEC, a worldwide leader in their field, has resulted in a perfect addition to Artel’s portfolio of liquid handling quality assurance products and services.”