Copan Newlab’s commitment to safer therapies

Innovation in the pharmaceutical industry goes beyond creating improved drugs; it also includes guaranteeing the safety of these products for patients. Today, we are excited to announce the launch of PharmaLab™, the fully automated platform aimed at transforming the processes of pharmaceutical Quality Control laboratories worldwide.

Why PharmaLab™?

PharmaLab™ represents a groundbreaking advancement in QC laboratory automation, providing a comprehensive solution for the entire quality control workflow – from plate handling and incubation to image analysis and reporting – built upon Copan’s decade-long expertise in clinical microbiology automation.

PharmaLab™ cutting-edge artificial intelligence, advanced hardware, and user-friendly functionality make it an indispensable asset for modern laboratories:

• Enhanced Data Integrity
• Increased Efficiency
• Improved Accuracy
• Cost Savings
• Scalability

Implementing PharmaLab™ is not just investing in a product – it means embracing a smarter, faster, and more efficient future for pharmaceutical Quality Control processes, avoiding costly recalls, and ensuring the safety of patients.

Discover more on the PharmaLab™ page, and contact us for more information:

Here are the top articles from March 2025 showcasing our products:

• The first study evaluated the performance of the Xpert® Carba-R assay, a real-time PCR-based test for detecting carbapenemase (CPE) genes directly from rectal swabs using the FecalSwab™ collection device. The Italian researchers found that 200 μL of the FecalSwab™ sample medium provided reliable Ct values with fewer invalid samples than traditional methods, with a detection limit for the CPE genes ranging from 4.7 × 10³ to 6.8 × 10³ CFU/mL. Storage conditions were also evaluated, revealing improved performance at room temperature after 16 hours compared to storage at 4 °C. The study concluded that FecalSwab™ could enhance CPE screening by facilitating both molecular and cultural methods with a single sampling.
• Prof Cristino and her team are the authors of the second study proposing an environmental SARS-CoV-2 surface routine monitoring approach for a rapid and effective evaluation of surface hygienic conditions and the effectiveness of sanitization measures. The researchers collected surface samples using SRK® and compared three molecular techniques: Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification (RT-LAMP,), Reverse-Transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Considering the overall properties of each technique, this study suggests using RT-LAMP as an effective method to screen negative from positive surfaces. In the event of a positive outcome, a sensitive, quantitative test such as ddPCR should be used to confirm the result.
• The third study is a collaboration between the US and Switzerland aimed at identifying the optimal processing method for tongue swabs in the Xpert Ultra assay for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Four methods utilizing Xpert Sample Reagent (SR) combined with varying concentrations of Tris–EDTA–Tween were compared against treatment with SR alone and a standard heat inactivation protocol. Swabs from volunteers without TB were placed in test buffers spiked with known amounts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to evaluate the performance of each method, indicating that swabs processed with a 1:1 diluted SR buffer had the lowest detection limit. While these findings highlight the potential of optimized tongue swab processing methods, this research emphasizes the importance of refining sample preparation techniques to enhance the sensitivity and reliability of TB diagnostics using tongue swabs.

Read the full studies below:

In an exclusive interview, Patrick Wirth, CEO of BAMOS AG—a leading Swiss laboratory specializing in microbiological and physicochemical analysis—shared insights into the transformative impact of the Cyclone automation system on the company’s operations.

Set for excellence

In the interview, Patrick Wirth discussed how Cyclone streamlined workflows while maintaining the high-quality standards BAMOS AG is known for. Moreover, he explained how Copan Newlab’s automation for microbiology quality control reduced human error and enhanced process consistency.

As BAMOS AG continues to expand its service portfolio and embrace technological advancements, Patrick remains optimistic about the future of laboratory testing and food safety. “Automation is not just about saving time; it’s about raising standards and staying ahead of industry challenges,” he concluded.

With tools like Cyclone paving the way, BAMOS AG is set to lead the change in delivering state-of-the-art analytics for the food and dairy industries.

Download and read the full interview!

Today, we unveil a new vision and mission, marking a milestone for Copan and declaring the company goals for both the near and the distant future.

We aim to make a universal approach to health possible.

By conceiving the most advanced life sciences solutions, we empower professionals to tackle global health challenges and bridge the gap between individuals and the healthcare system. Thanks to the deep connection with the people behind the professionals, we promote a comprehensive approach to health and safety.

Our aspiration, our purpose

Revising Copan’s vision and mission means rediscovering and reinforcing our values and sharing them with customers, partners, and collaborators. That’s why we wanted to rephrase them in a statement that reflected Copan’s global, cross-cutting expertise and growth. The key word, then, is Universal.

Universal because:

• We express our value in approaching clinical microbiology in its entirety, from collection to diagnosis.
• We have expanded our impact by embracing 360-degree diagnostics, offering innovative solutions to professionals and patients.
• We partner with leading diagnostic players worldwide, empowering results that were never achievable before.
• As the patient’s first and sole point of contact, we strive to develop innovative, patient-centric solutions tailored to the patient’s unique needs.
• Wherever there is a sample, there is a laboratory—and our products connect them, regardless of the field.

Discussions about healthcare are limiting for us, Copan, as we strive to enhance overall health instead. This new vision and mission will serve as the core of Copan’s communication and the foundation of our work in the years to come.

Here’s the study we selected for the second edition of 2025’s Microbiology time:

• Let’s start with a British study assessing the diagnostic reliability of two POC molecular diagnostic tests (Xpert® Mpox and STANDARD™ M10 MPX/OPX) for detecting the monkeypox virus. This study analyzed respiratory and skin lesion swabs from mpox and COVID-19 patients and compared the results from the two platforms. The findings indicated that the Xpert® Mpox test has superior sensitivity and specificity for both sample types compared to the STANDARD™ M10 MPX/OPX, which showed lacking clinical accuracy with upper respiratory samples. The researchers suggested that using respiratory swabs within the first three days of symptoms could enhance the accuracy of monkeypox diagnosis.
• The second study investigated the acceptability and performance of tongue swabbing as a tool to detect tuberculosis (TB) and resistance to the drug Rifampicin. Of 399 survey respondents, everyone said they were comfortable collecting their tongue swabs, with only minimal discomfort reported. By analyzing more than 300 samples, the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra test on tongue swabs showed 78.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for TB detection, with better performance in individuals with higher bacterial loads and lower in HIV-positive individuals. The tongue swab test showed 100% accuracy in detecting RIF resistance. Although tongue swabs are less sensitive than sputum, their ease of use and high acceptability make them valuable for molecular TB testing, reducing the burden on healthcare workers and increasing access to testing.
• One of the main challenges in diagnosing PD is the heterogeneity of its symptoms, which makes finding reliable biomarkers crucial. Currently, the most definitive method for diagnosing PD involves examining brain tissue post-mortem. A new test called the seed amplification assay (SAA), initially developed for prion-induced diseases, has been adapted to detect α-Syn clumps in cerebrospinal fluid, potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis of PD. Recent research indicates that SAA can also identify α-Syn clumps in samples obtained through less invasive procedures, such as skin, nasal tissue, saliva, and blood. However, there is still no standardized approach for conducting these tests, which limits their application in clinical settings. Establishing clear guidelines would enhance the reliability of these tests and aid in identifying patients who might benefit from new treatments. The third Chilean study reviews studies utilizing SAA to detect α-Syn clumps in minimally invasive samples, focusing on the collection, processing, and testing methods to improve the accuracy and utility of the results.

Read the full studies below:

Here are the last 2024 papers that secured their place in our Microbiology Time:

• In the first study, Dr. Chiereghin and colleagues evaluated self-sampling as an alternative to standard sampling for HPV primary screening in an Italian cervical cancer prevention program, focusing on acceptance, ease of use, and adherence to follow-up. The program offered self-sampling to nearly 20,000 women overdue for screening due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had irregular or no prior attendance. The study found that 11.5% of women opted for self-sampling – more than doubling the participation rate compared to clinician-sampling alone – thus demonstrating high acceptance. The return rate for self-samples was 79.5%, with only 1.1% deemed inadequate, indicating ease of use. HPV positivity and cervical cancer detection rates were higher in the self-sampling group compared to the regular screening population. In conclusion, self-sampling proved to be an easy-to-use and effective tool for reaching non-attenders who are at high risk of cancer.
• The second study is a collaboration between the U.S. and Italy. In this research, the scientists examined the impact of a novel elite athlete-derived Lactobacillus probiotic on sleep quality, exercise recovery, and gut microbiome composition in both elite athletes and the general population. This large-scale study utilized a two-phase design, featuring an open-label trial and a controlled longitudinal study with a professional soccer team, to investigate the interactions among probiotics, the gut microbiome, and host health. During the placebo-controlled phase, significant enhancements were noted in self-reported sleep quality (69%), energy levels (31%), and bowel movements (37%) after probiotic intervention, compared to the placebo. These improvements aligned with reductions in oxidative stress and a higher free testosterone/cortisol ratio. Multi-omics analyses revealed specific changes in microbiome composition and function, hinting at the potential mechanisms underlying these effects. The study offers new insights into how Lactobacillus probiotics can enhance sleep, recovery, and microbiome health in athletes and the general population, highlighting the promise of tailored probiotics derived from fit individuals to boost health and performance.
• Rapid DNA analysis methods can generate DNA profiles more quickly than traditional forensic workflows. These instruments have potential applications in decentralized settings without laboratory facilities. While effective for analyzing rich biological samples, these innovative methods typically consume the entire swab, which poses a challenge when working with limited samples. In the third study selected, French researchers developed a subsampling protocol to address this issue. By applying blood to FLOQSwabs and recovering portions of the biological material using a FLOQSwabs mini tip, they demonstrated that complete genetic profiles could be obtained from the mini swabs regardless of the initial blood volume, with improved profile intensity observed for larger volumes. This novel subsampling method offers a practical and adaptable strategy for forensic DNA analysis—especially in remote or decentralized environments—creating new opportunities for advancements in forensic genetics.

Read the full studies below:

Here are the latest studies featured in 2024’s Microbiology Time:

• In the first study, Dr. Cherkaoui and Prof. Schrenzel’s team addressed the need to reduce turn-around times and minimize costs for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening in pregnant patients by exploiting laboratory automation and AI. After comparing the performance of direct chromID™ Strepto B agar plating against LIM-broth enriched CA plating – finding nearly identical GBS detection rates – the Swiss researchers trained PhenoMATRIX™ with almost 9000 plate images, validating the results on other 800 pictures. With a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 90.2%, and a negative predictive value of 100%, PhenoMATRIX™ showed the be a reliable tool for the automated release of GBS-negative results within 24 hours.
• The single-molecule sequencing capabilities offered by the latest third-generation sequencing (TGS) techniques addressed the limitations of traditional NGS techniques. Still, its high error rate has hindered achieving accurate results. Three years ago, the high-accuracy sequencing Kit by Oxford Nanopore Technologies reported up to 99% accuracy. This month’s second study aimed to validate this kit for HLA genotyping in combination with a full-gene HLA PCR assay, comparing its performances with earlier flow cell models. The workflow was assessed for data throughput, sequence quality, accuracy, HLA genotyping resolution, flow cell stability, and barcode contamination. The findings underscore the advantages of ONT’s sequencing Kit flow cells for HLA genotyping and provide insights into their implementation in routine diagnostic HLA laboratories.
• Rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental settings had been essential for effective public health management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The third study by Professor Cristino evaluated the performance of RT-qPCR and Reverse Transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) in detecting SARS-CoV-2 from surface samples collected in healthcare environments. The reference method, RT-qPCR, identified 25% of the samples as positive, while RT-LAMP detected 27% as positive. RT-LAMP demonstrated a sensitivity of 32%, a specificity of 75%, a positive predictive value of 30%, and a negative predictive value of 77%, with an overall accuracy and concordance with RT-qPCR of 64%. RT-LAMP offered advantages in rapid screening and environmental surveillance, suggesting its potential as a valuable tool for the environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2, thereby aiding sanitation processes in both routine and emergency conditions.

Read the full studies below:

Today marks the official launch of HEMO™, the automation that will revolutionize positive blood culture processing.

What’s HEMO™? 

HEMO™ automatically transfers and tracks positive blood cultures from blood sampling bottles to Copan BC+™ for worry-free automated processing and analysis with Radian® and WASPLab®.

Blood culture aliquoting made easy 

• Safety First: Say goodbye to needle-stick injuries and blood leaks for improved staff safety.
• Optimized Workflow: HEMO™ takes over repetitive tasks so you can focus on what matters most.
• Consistency: HEMO™ minimizes the risk of contamination and errors for the benefit of your patients.
• Traceability: With dual barcode scanning and a built-in printer, every sample gets the tracking it deserves.
• Productivity Powerhouse: Handle urgent samples effortlessly and enjoy round-the-clock efficiency.

One more thing: HEMO™ is compatible with third-party hemoculture bottles, too—because we’re all about making integration into your laboratory workflow easier.

Curious about HEMO™? 

Download the brochure to learn more, or contact us for any questions.