Expansion of Genedata’s Collaboration with Serono into High Content Screening

High content data from cellular assay technologies used at Serono enable sophisticated biological profiling. These screening technologies provide insights into the biological effects of potential drug candidates, including possible toxic side effects.

To exploit these technologies, screening results need to be shared among people with different expertise, including chemists and toxicologists. Biopharmaceutical company Serono is familiar with this process, and is organized internally to ensure there is good communication between various expert groups.

To complement this process, Genedata’s result management and analysis solution Genedata Screener combines central database functions with interactive analysis tools and web-based access to databases. In step with recent developments in biomolecular screening, Genedata have developed a scientific platform to validate and analyze cellular assays.

During the course of the collaboration, Genedata extended its Screener solution, enabling Serono’s researchers to analyze and annotate their screening results more efficiently. The collaboration quickly reached the point where the software was a precise fit with Serono’s needs.

Scientists from Serono and Genedata co-authored a research presentation made at this year’s Society for Biomolecular Sciences annual meeting in Seattle, Washington. Genedata plays an important role in the exchange of knowledge at Serono, both internally and with the wider screening community.

The collaboration has progressed in stages since its initiation in 2003. In its current form, Genedata’s solution is compatible with Cellomics screening technologies and includes sophisticated Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), an important technology for web-based software applications.

Dr. Stephan Heyse, Head of Genedata Screener, explained, “We are very pleased with the way our solution has been adopted at Serono, not just within Serono’s IT department, but also in terms of integration with the company’s drug discovery processes”.