Automated immunoassay equipment platforms for analytical support of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical development

Laboratory automation is not new, but few scientists have been exposed to the wide range of analytical equipment platforms, which have been available from diagnostic and research companies, with many workers focusing on one or the other disciplines throughout their career. However, many such instrument platforms play an important role in drug-development in laboratories around the world. This review covers some of the experiences I have had in what is nearly 40 years in laboratory analysis - the last 18 years being in CROs supporting pharmaceutical development. There are many platforms that I have used, which are not included here since the focus of the article is on immunoassay techniques. I think it is worthy to note that many of the capabilities within modern platforms, from a wide range of manufacturers, would appear to me to have a 'genetic' link back to the first automated analyzers launched over 50 years ago. It has been interesting to take a walk down the development road of these platforms over that timeframe and, no doubt, will continue to be at least equally of interest in the future.