heipha, Biotest, and MODA Introduce Pre-barcoded Culture Media Plates with Automated Solution for Paperless Environmental Monitoring

EPPELHEIM, Germany, ROCKAWAY, N.J. and WAYNE, Pa., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- heipha Dr. Muller GmbH (heipha), a member of the Biotest Group and leading manufacturer of high-quality culture media for microbial diagnostics in the pharmaceutical industry, and MODA Technology Partners (MODA), a software company that specializes in automating environmental monitoring (EM), product and utility testing, today announced the availability of a new solution to further streamline automation of the Quality Control (QC) Micro process. The solution -- heipha-EM -- integrates the world-class MODA-EM™ platform with ready-prepared, pre-barcoded culture media plates from heipha.

heipha-EM (powered by MODA) is a paperless data acquisition, analysis, and reporting solution that improves EM and QC operations by eliminating inefficiencies and reducing error rates inherent in manual, paper-based systems. heipha-EM leverages mobile computing technology and advanced visualization tools for increased operational efficiency, improved quality, and reduced costs. With pre-barcoded culture media plates manufactured by heipha, the paperless process eliminates yet another common step inherent in paper-based processes.

The heipha-EM solution is available for purchase per a pricing model that correlates directly to the volume of media plates in use. In the USA, heipha media is available from Biotest Microbiology Corporation (BMC), Rockaway, New Jersey; in Germany, directly from heipha, Eppelheim, Germany; and, in the rest of the world, from Biotest's subsidiaries and microbiology distribution partners. heipha, Biotest and its subsidiaries and partners, and MODA will co-market the heipha-EM solution under a variety of support arrangements depending upon the country and location. This unique solution for integrated pre-barcoded media is also available with the complete MODA-EM solution, via direct purchase from MODA.

How it Works

By using pre-barcoded plates, technicians can boost their productivity by no longer having to manually print and label each plate to identify samples. Instead, a simple scan of a pre-existing barcode quickly and automatically identifies information about the media plate and the test being performed, thus eliminating the need for additional barcode label-creation. Processes are driven via electronic workflows to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), and each sample is automatically tracked through every step.

"heipha-EM combines our high-performance media plates with the best EM automation platform from MODA," said Dr. Ulrich Eikmanns, Head of Product Management at heipha. "This fits perfectly with our strategy to maximize value to our customers, combining media plates that are ready for immediate use with the MODA platform."

"Our partnership with heipha and Biotest further extends the capabilities of the MODA-EM platform and makes it more compelling for companies to get their Green initiatives on track with MODA," explains Michael Goetter, Vice President of Product Strategy at MODA. "Pre-barcoded media plates support MODA's customer commitment to reduce and eventually eliminate the need for paper-based, labor-intensive environmental monitoring programs."

Biotest and MODA at the 2010 PDA Annual Event

Attendees of the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) Annual Meeting that is being held on March 15 - 17 in Orlando, Florida can learn more about the heipha-EM solution by speaking to representatives from both Biotest (Booth #505) and MODA (Booth #308).

About heipha and Biotest

heipha Dr. Muller GmbH is a member of the Biotest Group, a company that researches, develops, and manufactures pharmaceutical, biotherapeutic, and microbiology diagnostic products and has specialized in the areas of application of immunology and hematology. For nearly 40 years, heipha has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality culture media for microbial diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and sterility testing. It offers more than 600 different products used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. heipha is based in Eppelheim (Heidelberg), Germany. For more information, visit www.heipha.com. Biotest is based in Dreieich (Frankfurt), Germany. For more information, visit www.biotest.com.

About MODA

More science. Less paper. MODA Technology Partners provides a mobile data acquisition platform that enables quality assurance and quality control organizations to automate their regulated manufacturing processes, including pharmaceuticals and consumer products. MODA's flagship software, MODA-EM™, is a paperless QC Micro solution that leverages mobile computing technology and advanced visualization tools for increased operational efficiency, improved quality, and reduced costs. MODA enables companies to advance their Green Initiatives by reducing and eventually eliminating the need for paper-based, labor-intensive environment monitoring programs. MODA is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, with office locations throughout North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.modatp.com.

SOURCE heipha