The robot is the result of a successful global initiative and collaboration between AstraZeneca's global proteomics network and the Lund Institute of Technology.

"Within the company we had a number of interesting proteins at such low levels that we did not have the technology to analyse them," explains Dr György Marko-Varga, Principal Scientist in molecular sciences and chair of AstraZeneca’s global proteomics network. "We began looking around on the market, but there was no technology available to meet our requirements."

Informal contact led to collaboration

Dr Marko-Varga explained the problem they faced to Dr Thomas Laurell, currently a professor at the Department of Electrical Measurements a the Lund Institute of Technology in Sweden, whom he knew from his time as an academic. Dr Laurell was immediately interested and realised his group was working on a technology that might hold promise if it was developed further. Initial studies were performed, confirming that it could be possible to resolve the problems using microtechnology. Many experiments and meetings later, the two scientists felt they were onto something exciting, and after several more meetings and an initial collaborative agreement, Dr Laurell's group at the Lund Institute of Technology developed a robotic prototype.

The protein analysis robot was developed in collaboration between AstraZeneca and the Lund Institute of Technology

"I was one of the co-founders of the proteomics network, and know that this type of research is extremely important for the company's future development of drugs," he says.

Building a relationship

AstraZeneca has established rules and standards regarding the way the company should enter into collaborative agreements, but according to Dr Hultberg the most important factor for a successful outcome is creating a good relationship between the parties.

"In this instance we had two groups who had found each other and were already working as a team. I think the proximity to the university, within walking distance of AstraZeneca in Lund, is one of the keys to this success, plus the fact that our senior management permits this type of exchange of knowledge."

Dr Laurell agrees, and explains how he has found the collaboration: "Formalising a relationship that already existed was a tricky process. Now we were to sign contracts and involve lawyers in something that had previously just been an enjoyable and inspiring joint project. Suddenly things were getting more complicated, and we had to think a stage further. It was now a matter of commonly owned thought processes – so called intellectual property."

Dr Laurell emphasises that he has always found AstraZeneca has had a very humble approach. "Their collaborations are based on good relationships and exchange of knowledge. We have contributed technical solutions, and AstraZeneca has given us a biological insight into the way the technology can be developed."

Superior capacity

The members of AstraZeneca's proteomics network are very satisfied with the new equipment which has a superior capacity with regards to both throughput and sensitivity compared with the previous technology. This means far more proteins can be analysed, and at a far lower concentration resulting in improved productivity and efficiency.

Dr Björn Dahllöf who is one of the network members concludes:"The new technology may have direct effects on the future process of drug development.It can immediately be used in all areas of research, and can contribute towards our finding biomarkers more efficiently and more quickly and thus sooner achieving greater confidence in our candidate substances."

Published 13 April 2005