Austrian biotech Solgate has achieved a significant milestone in pharmaceutical research by deploying precision automated liquid handling systems to unlock therapeutic potential in solute carrier transporters, targeting one of medicine’s most underexplored protein families that orchestrate cellular traffic and drive diverse disease mechanisms.

The Klosterneuburg-based startup has strategically integrated INTEGRA Biosciences’ advanced automated pipetting technology into its drug discovery pipeline, establishing a sophisticated screening platform that harnesses ASSIST PLUS pipetting robots and VIAFLO electronic pipettes to conduct systematic molecular campaigns. This technological deployment enables precise modulation of solute carrier (SLC) transporter function through targeted small molecule discovery.

Key innovations eliminate reproducibility barriers

The automation implementation addresses critical reproducibility challenges that have long plagued high-throughput pharmaceutical screening operations. The technology delivers unprecedented consistency across hundreds of assay plates whilst protecting delicate cellular architectures essential for maintaining data integrity. Advanced reagent handling mechanisms ensure gentle processing of fragile cell layers, preserving experimental quality throughout repeated weekly protocols.

“When you’re handling hundreds of plates across several pipelines, reproducibility becomes a challenge,” explained Georgi Dimchev, Senior Scientist at Solgate. “Manual pipetting increases the risk of variability, so we automate as many steps as possible to maintain consistency.”

Unlocking therapeutic potential in cellular gatekeepers

SLC transporters represent an extraordinary frontier in modern therapeutics. These sophisticated membrane proteins mediate transport of nutrients, metabolites, signalling molecules, and ions across cellular boundaries, with dysfunction linked to metabolic conditions, neuropathologies, and immune disorders. The automated platform enables systematic identification and development of small molecules capable of fine-tuning SLC activity, transforming discoveries into viable therapeutic candidates.

“The ASSIST PLUS systems and VIAFLO pipettes are exactly what we need,” emphasised Research Associate Ivana Rinklake. “Whether you’re a start-up or a large lab, these are the kinds of tools that help science move faster, and they have helped us to create a robust screening platform that can grow with the company.”