BioFocus gives itself room to update compound library

By Natalie Morrison

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Big pharma Chemistry

BioFocus: new HTS compound portfolio management system
BioFocus has taken on Titian’s sample management software in a bid to pump more resources into “refreshing” its 900,000 strong high-throughput screening (HTS) compound portfolio.

The firm says the software will make extracting and tracking compounds from its deck when screening simpler and more efficient.

The news follows job cuts for the firm earlier this year at its branch in Basel, Switzerland, which originally played home to its in-house management system.

Speaking to Outsourcing-Pharma.com, the firm’s VP of biological sciences, Kate Hilyard, said the move will help create room for more investment in compounds in chemical matter in the near future.

“We felt it was better to go with a professional software provider so we have a service that is specifically designed to maintain the system,”​ she said. “You don’t need the people to maintain and develop it because the third party does it.”

Hilyard added that, with portfolio maintenance, monitoring and to an extent development now outsourced, there is more time free for updating BioFocus’ four-year-old compound library.

She said: “The main point for us is that we’re continuing to build our HTS platform. We have recently invested in compounds in chemical matter, and we’re still currently adding to the compounds in our library.”

However, she stressed the decision to work with Titian was not because the portfolio is growing, adding: “This not because our library has become bigger – it’s to get the external support.”

More accessible

The firm now hopes the integration of the software – expected to be up and running within BioFocus’ Chesterford Park site, UK, this August – will help attract new clients, as well as assuring its existing ones.

“We’ve decided to invest in this industry accredited software package used by the majority of large pharma, and a big reason is that everyone understands it. This shows our commitment to invest and make our process efficient as we go forward,”​ Hilyard told us.

When asked if the use of a platform popular with Big Pharma was a rouse to attract more of them as clients, she replied: “Yes, but not exclusively big pharma. Our client base includes big pharma, as well as biotechs and not-for-profit firms.

“Everyone in the field is familiar with this system, it helps to generate the confidence that we are a CRO (contract research organisation) who can deliver quality.”

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