The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS; IL, USA) successfully concluded its 2026 European Conference and Exhibition this May in the historic city of Vienna, Austria. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Vienna Congress & Convention Center, the event drew an impressive international contingent, welcoming 137 exhibitors and over 1,500 registrants representing more than 30 countries. This turnout underscores the continued growth and increasing significance of the SLAS European meeting as a pivotal platform for innovation and collaboration within the life sciences and laboratory automation sectors.
Setting the Stage: Vienna as a Nexus for Scientific Exchange
Vienna, renowned for its rich scientific heritage and modern infrastructure, proved an ideal backdrop for the SLAS Europe 2026 conference. The city’s central European location facilitates easy access for delegates from across the continent and beyond, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for international gatherings. The Vienna Congress & Convention Center, equipped with cutting-edge facilities, provided an optimal environment for the extensive exhibition, diverse scientific sessions, and networking opportunities that characterized the event. The choice of Vienna highlights SLAS’s commitment to fostering a dynamic European scientific community and leveraging the region’s strong academic and industrial research landscape.
Opening Insights: The Future of Precision Medicine Through Nanotechnology
The conference commenced with a compelling keynote address delivered by Willem Mulder, PhD, a distinguished Professor of Precision Medicine at Eindhoven University of Technology and Radboud University Medical Center (both The Netherlands). Dr. Mulder’s presentation captivated the audience by delving into the transformative potential of nanotechnology-based treatments, particularly their capacity to complement and enhance existing immunotherapies. He meticulously outlined how apolipoproteins – proteins fundamentally involved in lipid transport – could be ingeniously repurposed as scaffolds for engineering advanced nanomedicines. These sophisticated nanoscale constructs are designed to precisely target specific immune cell populations, facilitating the sustained delivery of therapeutic agents. Dr. Mulder elaborated on the broad applicability of these innovations, citing their promise in addressing complex diseases such as cancer and various immune-mediated conditions. His insights resonated deeply with attendees, signaling a significant paradigm shift towards more targeted and effective therapeutic strategies.
Following the keynote, Vicki Loise, SLAS Chief Executive Officer, delivered insightful opening remarks. She emphasized the consistent growth trajectory of the European meeting, highlighting its increasing influence within the global scientific community. Ms. Loise also provided a comprehensive overview of upcoming SLAS events throughout 2026, including the eagerly anticipated next Regional Meet-up in Leiden, The Netherlands, further cementing SLAS’s commitment to continuous engagement and knowledge dissemination across Europe. "The robust attendance and vibrant discussions at SLAS Europe 2026 are a testament to the accelerating pace of innovation in laboratory automation and discovery," remarked Ms. Loise. "Our European conference continues to be a critical forum for showcasing groundbreaking technologies and fostering collaborations that drive scientific progress worldwide."
Driving Scientific Progress: Key Themes and Tracks
The scientific program of SLAS Europe 2026 was meticulously structured around three core tracks, each designed to address critical areas of advancement in the life sciences: Advances in drug discovery, Advances in laboratory automation, and Screening applications and diagnostics. These tracks collectively offered a rich tapestry of sessions, workshops, and presentations, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of modern scientific research.
In the Advances in drug discovery track, Emre Guney, Chief Technology Officer at STALICA (Genève, Switzerland), presented a notable session titled "Drug repurposing and systems pharmacology: accelerating therapeutic innovation." Guney explored cutting-edge computational approaches that leverage existing compound libraries to identify novel therapeutic applications, thereby significantly reducing drug development timelines and costs. This approach is gaining increasing traction as the pharmaceutical industry seeks more efficient and sustainable pathways to bring new treatments to market. The session underscored the power of data-driven strategies in revolutionizing traditional drug discovery paradigms.
The Advances in laboratory automation track featured a pivotal session, "From patient samples to precision medicine: building the infrastructure for translational research." This session underscored the paramount importance of high-quality biological samples and robust sample management systems as foundational elements for reproducible and impactful translational research. Discussions encompassed critical aspects such as advanced biobanking techniques, ensuring comprehensive sample traceability, and implementing scalable storage solutions. The emphasis was placed on integrated workflows that facilitate seamless data flow and analytical consistency, essential for the reliable adoption of precision medicine initiatives.
Under the Screening applications & diagnostics track, Fernando Ramon-Olayo, Director of In Vitro Pharmacology at the Servier Institute for Therapeutic Innovation (Paris, France), delivered an illuminating presentation on "Improving physiological relevance of models and predictive value of assays." Ramon-Olayo’s talk highlighted the rapid evolution of 3D cultures, organoids, and integrated assay platforms. These advanced models are crucial for enhancing the fidelity of in vitro systems, making them more closely mimic in vivo biological contexts, and consequently improving the predictive accuracy of drug screening and diagnostic assays. The shift towards more physiologically relevant models is a key trend in reducing reliance on animal testing and accelerating the development of safer and more effective therapies.
Across these diverse tracks, three overarching themes emerged as central takeaways, reflecting broader industry trends: repurposing, reproducibility, and relevance. Drug repurposing offers a more efficient and accelerated route for therapeutic development. Reproducible workflows, heavily supported by advanced automation, ensure consistency and accuracy at scale, which is vital for regulatory approval and scientific validation. Lastly, an increasing regulatory and scientific emphasis on relevance ensures that experimental models and generated data more accurately reflect real therapeutic contexts, leading to better clinical translation.
Pioneering Solutions: Product Launches and Company Updates
The exhibition floor served as a dynamic showcase for the latest innovations, with numerous companies unveiling new products and significant updates. These introductions underscored the industry’s continued drive towards streamlined, integrated workflows that enhance scientific research and development.
Omega Bio-tek (GE, USA) introduced two significant new kits: the PS6399 Mag-Bind® Blood & Saliva DNA LSP Kit, engineered to simplify high-throughput DNA extraction, and the Mag-Bind® Total RNA Xpress Kit (M6742), designed for rapid RNA purification workflows. "Our new Mag-Bind® kits represent a leap forward in sample preparation efficiency," stated an Omega Bio-tek spokesperson. "Researchers can now achieve faster, more reliable nucleic acid extraction, which is crucial for accelerating genomic and transcriptomic studies."
Bionomous (Villaz-St-Pierre, Switzerland) launched Sortivo, an automated platform tailored for the screening, sorting, and plating of complex biological entities, including delicate zebrafish embryos and organoids. This innovation is poised to support the broader adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) by providing routine and reproducible workflows for these intricate models. "Sortivo addresses a critical bottleneck in research involving complex biological samples," commented a Bionomous representative. "By automating these processes, we enable scientists to achieve higher throughput and greater consistency, accelerating the use of NAMs in drug discovery and toxicology."
Cenevo (London, UK) unveiled Mosaic AI Inventory Search, a natural language interface seamlessly integrated into its Mosaic workflow. This tool empowers users to search inventory data using plain-language descriptions, making sample discovery significantly more intuitive and reducing the time spent on manual data retrieval. "Mosaic AI Inventory Search transforms how scientists interact with their inventory data," explained a Cenevo official. "By allowing natural language queries, we’re making sample management more accessible and efficient, freeing up valuable research time."
Lutèce Dynamics (Paris, France) announced the completion of the first commercial installation of VertX®, a label-free live microscopy module, at the William Morey General Hospital (Chalon-sur-Saône, France). This module enables high-resolution imaging of human biopsies, promising improved understanding of disease pathophysiology through advanced, non-invasive visualization.
Recognizing Excellence: The New Product Awards
A highlight of SLAS Europe 2026 was the New Product Award ceremony, celebrating cutting-edge innovations that promise to significantly impact laboratory science. The winners showcased remarkable ingenuity and practicality:
- Bionomous received an award for its Sortivo platform, lauded for its ability to integrate an entire workflow into a single benchtop system, significantly improving high-throughput particle screening for NAMs workflows. The judges recognized Sortivo’s potential to standardize and accelerate research involving complex biological models.
- Cube Biotech (Mettmann, Germany) was honored for its PlateX MP™ Strep-Tactin®XT MagBeads product. This automated platform for membrane protein purification delivers analytical-grade samples in approximately two hours through a streamlined, consumable-based workflow. The innovation was celebrated for its improvements in efficiency and yield, crucial for structural biology and drug discovery efforts targeting membrane proteins.
- nNano AG (Gwatt, Switzerland) won for its CERTUS RIVO system, a contactless multi-channel liquid handling platform capable of precisely dispensing nanoliter-to-microliter volumes. The CERTUS RIVO was recognized for its ability to enhance accuracy, speed, and reagent handling in automated workflows, addressing a critical need for precision in miniaturized assays. "Winning a SLAS New Product Award is a tremendous validation of our efforts to bring transformative technologies to the lab," remarked a representative from one of the winning companies. "It underscores the impact our innovation can have on accelerating scientific discovery."
Forging Alliances: Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
The conference also served as a nexus for strategic partnerships and collaborations, demonstrating the interconnected nature of the life science industry.
Cerillo Bio (VA, USA) and Hamilton Company (NV, USA) announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding detection and analysis capabilities for modern laboratory needs. This collaboration combines Hamilton’s renowned liquid handling and automation systems with Cerillo’s Rayo series microplate readers, Canopy wireless data transfer platform, and Co-Culture Duet system. The synergy between these technologies promises to create more robust and integrated solutions for complex biological assays. "This partnership with Hamilton amplifies our ability to deliver comprehensive, high-performance solutions to our customers," stated a Cerillo Bio executive. "The integration of our platforms will empower researchers with unprecedented capabilities in data acquisition and analysis."
Collaborative Drug Discovery (CDD; CA, USA) announced a significant partnership with Lilly TuneLab. This collaboration will make Lilly’s advanced AI/ML models available within CDD Vault, expanding access to powerful predictive modeling tools for drug discovery researchers globally. This initiative marks a crucial step in democratizing access to cutting-edge artificial intelligence for accelerating the identification of new drug candidates. "Our collaboration with Lilly TuneLab is a game-changer for drug discovery," commented a CDD spokesperson. "By integrating powerful AI/ML models into CDD Vault, we’re providing researchers with sophisticated predictive capabilities that were once exclusive, enabling faster and more intelligent drug development."
PulpFixin (OH, USA), the Conference’s official Sustainability Sponsor, detailed its partnership with Micronic to advance sustainable sample storage solutions. This collaboration brings together PulpFixin’s AutoRack® sustainable rack system with Micronic’s innovative storage technologies to support automated, traceable, and environmentally responsible sample management. This partnership highlights the growing industry-wide commitment to incorporating sustainability into laboratory operations, from consumables to automation.
Nurturing Emerging Talent: Innovation AveNEW and the Ignite Award
SLAS Europe 2026 continued its tradition of supporting emerging companies through the Innovation AveNEW initiative. This program is specifically designed to provide a vital platform for nascent companies working in discovery and technology across the life science sector. It offers them direct engagement with purchasing influencers and decision-makers, coupled with invaluable business development support. Participating companies are prominently showcased in a specially designated area of the exhibition floor, with SLAS covering exhibition and travel fees, thereby reducing barriers for promising startups.
This year’s distinguished Innovation AveNEW cohort included a diverse group of innovators: 8-BOT Robotics (Konstanz, Germany), Chemetrian (IL, USA), Culturon® (Syndey, Australia), DaltonTx (London, UK), Ensynble (CA, USA), Linkdlab (Jena, Germany), Lutèce Dynamics (Paris, France), PartitionBio (Cambridge, UK), Scalables (USA), Sync Biosystems (Leiden, Netherlands), Syntopia (Paris, France), and Trince (Ghent, Belgium).
From this cohort, companies could also opt to compete for the prestigious SLAS Ignite Award. Judged by an expert SLAS Panel, the award evaluates participants based on key concepts such as their marketing plan, market presence, funding prospects, and strategic plan for growth. The 2026 Ignite Award was proudly presented to Trince (Ghent, Belgium) for its groundbreaking LumiPore™ photoporation platform. LumiPore™ offers a streamlined solution for a traditionally time-consuming process, providing an innovative alternative intracellular delivery technology with significant potential for both research and clinical applications. "Winning the Ignite Award is a tremendous boost for Trince and LumiPore™," said a representative from Trince. "It validates our technology’s potential to revolutionize intracellular delivery and provides us with invaluable visibility and support to bring our innovation to the wider scientific community."
At the Forefront: Exhibition Floor Highlights
The exhibition floor buzzed with activity, offering attendees unparalleled opportunities to engage directly with companies, explore their latest platforms and innovations, and witness live demonstrations of cutting-edge laboratory technologies. From established industry giants to agile emerging biotechs, the array of solutions on display reflected the rapid evolution of laboratory automation.
Tecan (Männedorf, Switzerland) showcased its new scheduling software, FlowPilot, designed for connected automation in large workflows. They also demonstrated a sophisticated robotic cell workflow integrated with Tecan’s Fluent 480 and Spark Motion assembly, offering robust walk-away solutions, particularly for cell-based assays. Further highlighting their versatility, Tecan presented its Duo system for picolitre dispensation of cells, biologic materials, and drugs, emphasizing precision at ultra-low volumes.
SPT Labtech (Cambridge, UK) highlighted its comprehensive suite of solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management. The company delivered an engaging exhibitor tutorial focused on automated workflows for high-throughput organoid-based screening applications, using patient-derived models. This demonstrated their commitment to facilitating complex, physiologically relevant research.
DNA Script (Paris, France) presented its enzymatic DNA synthesis technology, which forms the core of its SYNTAX® platform. This automated benchtop system enables rapid, on-demand production of high-quality single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides in-house. This technology significantly reduces reliance on external suppliers, offering researchers greater flexibility and control over their experimental workflows.
Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany) featured its broad product portfolio, including a range of pipettes and automated pipetting systems, notably the epMotion® series. The company also showcased its diverse consumables, such as the sustainable Eppendorf Tubes® BioBased, high-quality pipette tips, microtiter plates, and single-use bioreactor vessels, underscoring their commitment to both performance and environmental responsibility.
The Voice of Research: SLAS Journals and Publishing
Attendees also had the unique opportunity to interact with the editors of SLAS’s peer-reviewed journals: SLAS Technology and SLAS Discovery. Both journals, published as Gold Open Access titles by Elsevier, serve as crucial conduits for researchers to disseminate advances in biomedical research and development. The "Meet the Editors" session offered invaluable insights into the editorial teams, the submission process, and the various publishing pathways available to researchers across the sector, encouraging high-quality scientific discourse and publication.
Broader Implications and The Road Ahead
SLAS Europe 2026 provided a unique and comprehensive platform to discover the latest innovations in laboratory automation and molecular technologies. The collective discussions and showcased advancements reinforced the industry’s ongoing paradigm shift: moving beyond standalone automation tools towards sophisticated, integrated platforms that support increasingly high-precision, high-throughput workflows capable of handling complex datasets. The emphasis on practical impact, efficiency, and scientific rigor was palpable throughout the conference.
The key takeaways — repurposing, reproducibility, and relevance — are not merely buzzwords but reflect foundational shifts in how scientific research and drug development are conducted. The drive towards AI/ML integration, sustainable laboratory practices, and the adoption of NAMs signals a maturing industry focused on ethical, efficient, and impactful discovery. The advancements presented in Vienna are set to catalyze exciting developments in the latter half of 2026 and beyond, promising to reshape research landscapes.
Looking ahead, the momentum generated at SLAS Europe 2026 will undoubtedly build towards SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition in San Diego (CA, USA). The global scientific community eagerly anticipates further breakthroughs and collaborations. For researchers and innovators, applications for SLAS2027 Innovation AveNEW are now open, offering another chance for emerging companies to gain critical exposure and support.
For more information on future events, or to sign-up for registration alerts, activities, and deadlines for SLAS2027, please visit: SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition. Details for Innovation AveNEW at SLAS2027 can be found at: Innovation AveNEW at SLAS2027 International Conference and Exhibition.
Zyme Communications served as the official media coordinator for SLAS Europe 2026. The opinions expressed in this news report are based on the factual information presented at the conference and inferred industry trends, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BioTechniques or Taylor & Francis Group.
