The key to success in Life Science
Building and managing a comprehensive platform that offers diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and contract research services (CRO—Contract Research Organization) to life science clients using high-quality, regulatory-compliant systems is a challenge that requires long-term planning and technical expertise. For Svar Life Science AB, a leading life sciences company based in Skåne, this has entailed a close and long-standing collaboration with Plantvision.
“With a partnership spanning more than 23 years, Plantvision has been a part of our company’s digital transformation journey—from the implementation of our first LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) to today’s modern, efficient, and future-proof laboratory environment,” says Rita M. Olofsson, Head of Diagnostic Services at Wieslab.
Svar Life Science AB - an innovative player in Life Science
Svar Life Science is a Swedish life science company offering diagnostic laboratory services under the Wieslab brand since 2004 and CRO activities under the Svar name since 2015. Svar focuses on developing, refining and applying the best analytical technology for drug development and clinical diagnostics. They deliver customized solutions, create practical platforms for routine clinical analysis, and offer comprehensive bioanalytical services and proprietary products to streamline the drug development process.
Their range of laboratory services has continuously evolved to meet regulatory requirements and increase efficiency over the years. To manage both daily laboratory processes and complex clinical studies, the company needed stable and flexible system support. The need to meet regulatory requirements and ensure high data quality has been central.
23 years of cooperation - a solid foundation for innovation and growth
When Wieslab and Plantvision began their partnership more than two decades ago, the starting point was clear—the diagnostic laboratory needed an IT infrastructure that could handle laboratory processes in an efficient and regulatory-compliant manner.
Since the initial implementation of the Nautilus LIMS system, needs have changed and the business has grown to include a CRO operation. What started as a single project has grown into a long-term strategic partnership that has supported Svar's expansion, development and technological renewal.
Tailored LIMS support for CRO and diagnostics
To meet the needs and requirements in both diagnostics and contract research, the Plantvision team has delivered a customized LIMS solution based on Sample Manager—a flexible and future-proof system.
The system has been implemented and further developed to support the different workflows, requirements of GLP/GCP and ISO15189 standards to which each business line is subject.
Contract research organizations (CROs) with a need for precision and regulatory alignment
In contract research, where Svar offers GCP and GLP regulated services for support in pre-clinical and clinical studies, such as pharmacokinetic analyses (PK assays), Sample Manager was already implemented in 2018.
The system has since been tailored to support these advanced study types, with high precision and regulatory compliance. Through close and fruitful collaboration, as well as a deep understanding of the business and its needs, a solution could be configured to mirror their workflows - from sample reception to reporting - greatly reducing the need for manual steps.
As a next step, Svar is evaluating the process of sample reception and sample registration and the possibility of, for example, integrating a barcode scanner directly into the LIMS system, which will further digitalize the process, reduce sources of error and increase efficiency.
“With a good understanding of our operations, Plantvision has been able to provide solutions that work well in our environment. This also ensures that support and consulting run smoothly,” says Madhuri Torell, IT Manager at Svar.
Diagnostics - Wieslab towards safer and more efficient operations
In diagnostics, Sample Manager was implemented in 2019, where a strong focus has been on automating and streamlining laboratory operations. By integrating several analytical instruments with the LIMS system, Wieslab has been able to continue to digitalize and streamline its lab processes. The newest version of Sample Manager has recently been implemented, providing even greater opportunities to maximize the functionality of the system.
In collaboration with Plantvision , the integration of the LabPortalen platform (from InfoSolutions) was also made possible, giving referring physicians direct access to their patients’ test results—a solution that was implemented in 2023. This resulted in a fast and secure system for the electronic management of Wieslab’s test results.
We asked Answers about how it all started and what the needs were then?
“When we began our partnership with Plantvision , we needed an IT infrastructure that could handle our laboratory processes in an efficient and regulatory-compliant manner. We were a smaller player in the market, but we had big ambitions and needed a system that could grow with us,” says Rita M. Olofsson, Head of Wieslab Diagnostic Services at Wieslab.
What do you think have been the main benefits of the cooperation?
“Plantvision has been a valuable partner in our efforts to develop laboratory processes in line with industry requirements. Thanks to their expertise, we have been able to improve our workflows, enhance data quality, and ensure regulatory compliance,” says Rita M. Olofsson, Head of Diagnostic Services at Wieslab.
Continuous support and regulatory certainty
The collaboration has also involved ongoing technical support and system management, which has ensured that the systems function optimally - both in terms of operation, performance and further development.
How important is regulatory compliance in your industry, and how have we at Plantvision been able to help?
"Meeting regulatory requirements is a given in our industry. With Plantvision's knowledge of both technology and regulations, we have had good support in our work to meet standards such as ISO 15189, GLP and GCP. This has allowed us to focus on our core business with continued high demands on quality and safety," says Rita Martins Olofsson, Head of Diagnostic Services at Wieslab.
Over the years, Plantvision has provided expertise in a variety of areas, which has made it easier for the client to conduct its business in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. Having a reliable partner over time, with a deep understanding of both systems and regulations, has allowed Svar/Wieslab to focus on its core business without compromising on safety and quality. With a robust LIMS system, the company is now better equipped to ensure quality.
An investment in the future
After more than two decades of teamwork, Svar/Wieslab today has a stable, secure and flexible IT infrastructure that is ready to meet the demands of the future. Among the most important effects of the long-term partnership are:
- More efficient workflows - Customized system solutions have optimized the management of laboratory data and reduced manual work.
- Safe compliance - ISO 15189, GLP and GCP are followed in a structured and reliable way.
- A future-proof platform - Systems are designed to grow with your business and adapt to new regulatory and technical requirements.
The success factor is long-term thinking
What has made the collaboration successful is the combination of technical expertise, continuous planning and a deep understanding of the needs of the life sciences industry.
“Having a partner who understands both our business and regulatory challenges has been crucial to our growth. Plantvision has helped us build a technical platform that is not only stable today but also equipped for the future,” says Madhuri Torell, IT Manager at Svar.
The collaboration between Svar/Wieslab and Plantvision is a clear example of how a strategic and technically knowledgeable partner, along with a professional and driven client, can help a life sciences company achieve its goals—in terms of efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.
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