Merck KGaA (Merck) and Opentrons Labworks have announced a partnership to automate assay kits on a ‘custom’ Opentrons Flex workstation.

The multi-year collaboration will see scientists and engineers working together to develop and verify platform workflows.

These workflows will utilise Merck's extensive range of automation-enabled assays.

Combining the workstation and assays will enhance consistency and throughput while minimising manual intervention. The user-friendly robotic system will be a significant step towards minimising recurring tasks in the laboratory.

Customers can order custom workstations and assay kits from Merck later this year.

The applications of these products will span a wide range of laboratory procedures, including the preparation of protein samples and various chemistry and biochemical workflows.

Merck Life Science business, Science & Lab Solutions head Jean-Charles Wirth said: “Our customers are prioritising tools and technologies that improve reproducibility and productivity, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks that take their science further, faster.

“Our partnership with Opentrons reinforces our focus to automate and digitalise the lab - supporting scientists at all stages with tools that can increase efficiency, safety, and success rates of delivering new potential therapeutics.”

Merck noted that by leveraging Opentrons' automation expertise with its supply chain, R&D and quality systems, this collaboration is set to provide products that streamline research workflows from sample preparation to analysis.

This partnership will support advancements in areas such as enzyme technology, genome editing, immunodetection, pharmaceutical development, and testing services.

It builds upon Merck's ongoing efforts to enhance the productivity of its Life Science lab.

Notable among these is the Millicell DCI Digital Cell Imager, which facilitates expedited cell culture analysis through its user-friendly interface.

Additionally, this development underscores the company's aim to deliver advanced biology solutions, such as its recent purchase of HUB Organoids.

In July 2021, Merck partnered with Innervia Bioelectronics to develop graphene-based bioelectronic vagus nerve treatments for severe chronic conditions.