02.06.25 | Roche Diagnostics and Labor Berlin inaugurate the world’s first fully automated mass spectrometry system (cobas® i 601 Mass Spec solution) in a clinical laboratory. This innovative system at Labor Berlin marks a significant milestone in diagnostics by making clinical mass spectrometry testing accessible in routine laboratories. Franziska Giffey (Mayor & Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises of the State of Berlin) and Dr Thomas Schinecker (CEO, Roche Group) were among those invited to the inauguration ceremony.
About the cobas® i 601 Mass Spec solution
The development of this system was mainly driven in Germany and Japan and reflects the international co-operation and technological excellence of the German location, both in industry and in the healthcare system.
Daniela Kahlert: ‘The cobas® Mass Spec solution revolutionises clinical mass spectrometry through its complete standardisation and automation. We are delighted that our close collaboration with German laboratories has led to such a ground-breaking innovation.’
Mass spectrometry is used in various clinical applications, for example for the measurement of steroid hormones in endocrinology, vitamin tests, the monitoring of immunosuppressants and for the determination of levels of certain drugs in the blood. Examples of how mass spectrometry can benefit healthcare systems can be seen in the management of the effective and responsible use of antibiotics or in the continuous monitoring of disease progression and treatment. The high specificity of the tests can provide doctors with greater clarity and enable faster treatment decisions for patients.
Until now, mass spectrometry has only been offered by specialist laboratories due to the low level of automation, integration and standardisation as well as the high complexity of the work processes, which require highly qualified laboratory staff. This can lead to large variances between different laboratories and long turnaround times. The new laboratory technology developed by Roche makes automation possible, with a workflow that is far more efficient than current methods. The cobas® Mass Spec solution transforms the highly complex technology of mass spectrometry into an easy-to-use technology for routine testing. Thus, the solution helps to automate and standardise regularly requested mass spectrometry parameters with high throughput and to use resources in the laboratory in a targeted manner.
Innovative collaboration between Roche & Labor Berlin
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Daniela Kahlert, Managing Director Roche Diagnostics Germany
‘There is already an established market for mass spectrometry in clinical diagnostics in Germany. This has enabled us to involve customers in the development process right from the start and to develop the product based on the needs of the laboratories. Based on this feedback, we have developed a true technological revolution – a mass spectrometry system that can be seamlessly integrated into the routine laboratory for the first time.’
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Nina Beikert, CEO Labor Berlin
‘With the installation of this system, we have reached a milestone in diagnostics in our laboratory. The high specificity, sensitivity and precision of mass spectrometry is the diagnostic gold standard for various clinical applications. The ability to make this type of cutting-edge diagnostic medicine available to our patients around the clock with the i601 and thus provide even faster diagnoses will significantly improve the quality of patient care – a clear advantage for Europe’s largest hospital laboratory.’
