About
Tecan Group is a world-renowned provider of laboratory automation and detection solutions for the life sciences and in-vitro diagnostics industries. Founded with a mission to improve people's lives and health, Tecan designs and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of instruments, consumables, and software that enable researchers and clinicians to work faster, more accurately, and at greater scale. Their flagship liquid handling platforms—Fluent, Freedom EVO, and Veya—automate complex pipetting, sample preparation, and multi-step assay workflows, dramatically reducing manual errors and increasing throughput. Microplate readers such as the Spark and Infinite 200 PRO deliver high-sensitivity absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence detection, supporting applications from cell-based assays to drug discovery screening. Tecan's software ecosystem, including FluentControl, Magellan, and i-control, provides intuitive instrument control, data acquisition, and analysis capabilities. For next-generation sequencing labs, the MagicPrep NGS and a suite of library preparation kits streamline DNA/RNA sequencing workflows. Key application areas include genomics, nucleic acid purification, biobanking, liquid biopsy, CRISPR, synthetic biology, immunoassay automation, and cellular imaging. Tecan serves academic research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, contract research organizations, and clinical diagnostics labs worldwide. With a strong global service network, training academy, and custom engineering capability, Tecan is a trusted partner across the entire life science value chain.
Key Features
- Liquid Handling Automation: Fluent, Freedom EVO, and Veya platforms automate complex pipetting and sample preparation workflows, reducing manual errors and increasing lab throughput.
- High-Performance Microplate Readers: Spark and Infinite 200 PRO readers support absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, and live-cell imaging for drug discovery, genomics, and cell biology applications.
- NGS Library Preparation: MagicPrep NGS and integrated reagent kits streamline DNA and RNA sequencing workflows from sample input to sequencer-ready libraries.
- Integrated Instrument Software: FluentControl, Magellan, and i-control software provide seamless instrument control, scheduling, data acquisition, and analysis in a unified environment.
- Custom Automation Solutions: Tecan's engineering teams design bespoke automated platforms for unique lab requirements, scaling from benchtop to full high-throughput production environments.
Use Cases
- Automating NGS library preparation workflows to increase throughput and reduce manual errors in genomics research labs.
- High-throughput drug discovery screening using microplate readers and liquid handling systems to test thousands of compound-target interactions per day.
- Biobanking and sample management automation for large-scale cohort studies requiring precise nucleic acid extraction and normalization.
- Clinical diagnostics lab automation for immunoassay processing, improving turnaround times and reproducibility in patient testing.
- Cell biology research including live-cell imaging, confluence monitoring, and cell-based assay automation for oncology and toxicology studies.
Pros
- Comprehensive Product Portfolio: Tecan offers end-to-end solutions covering liquid handling, detection, software, and consumables, enabling fully integrated lab automation under one vendor.
- Global Service and Support: 24/7 support, remote services, on-site service contracts, and a dedicated training academy (Tecan Academy) ensure minimal downtime and rapid user onboarding.
- Wide Application Coverage: Supports a broad range of scientific disciplines including genomics, drug discovery, biobanking, immunoassays, and cellular analysis, making it versatile for multi-purpose labs.
- Proven Reliability and Quality: ISO-certified quality management and a decades-long track record in life sciences provide confidence in reproducibility and regulatory compliance.
Cons
- High Capital Cost: Tecan instruments represent significant capital investments, which may be prohibitive for smaller labs, startups, or academic groups with limited budgets.
- Complex Implementation: Setting up and programming automated workflows can require specialized expertise and significant time investment, especially for custom or complex assay protocols.
- Vendor Lock-In Risk: Deep integration between Tecan hardware, software, and consumables can create dependency on a single vendor ecosystem, limiting flexibility to adopt third-party alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What industries does Tecan serve?
Tecan primarily serves life sciences research, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, contract research organizations (CROs), clinical diagnostics laboratories, and academic research institutions worldwide.
What is the Fluent platform used for?
The Fluent is Tecan's flagship liquid handling workstation designed for automated sample preparation, assay setup, and complex multi-step workflows such as NGS library prep, nucleic acid extraction, and plate reformatting.
Does Tecan offer training for its instruments?
Yes. Tecan Academy provides structured training programs through brochures, on-site sessions, and remote training to help users get the most out of their instruments and software.
Can Tecan instruments be integrated into existing lab automation lines?
Yes. Tecan offers integration services and custom automation solutions to connect their instruments with third-party robotic systems, LIMS platforms, and broader lab automation ecosystems.
What software is used to control Tecan liquid handlers?
FluentControl is the primary software for the Fluent platform, while Freedom EVOware and Freedom EVOlution are used for Freedom EVO systems. These provide drag-and-drop scripting, scheduling, and real-time monitoring capabilities.
