ideas
Customer presentations
Bridging the gap between vision and reality: A scientist-led approach to building an integrated bioprocess database using IDBS spreadsheets
Yuya Ishikawa, Scientist, Chugai
Many organizations aim to build integrated bioprocess databases, but success depends on capturing high-quality, structured data at the bench, including full sample context and lineage. This presentation describes a pragmatic, scientist-led approach using IDBS Spreadsheets as the primary data entry interface. By replacing traditional experiment records with structured spreadsheets, consistent data capture is achieved without adding burden to scientists. Close collaboration between spreadsheet developers and end users enables rapid iteration and intuitive design. The approach has already delivered normalized data structures, routine deployment, and downstream analytics powered by an AWS-based data platform.
An inventory-driven architecture for adaptive ELN execution, automation, and collaboration
Shawn Fernando, Senior Scientist, Eisai
This session presents a materials-centric informatics architecture that makes inventory data the foundation of ELN-driven laboratory workflows. Rather than relying on fixed templates, the ELN is organized around materials, samples, and equipment, allowing workflows to adapt naturally to bench execution while ensuring traceability and data integrity. Within the IDBS E-Workbook ecosystem, calculations, dependencies, and instrument-ready instructions are generated automatically, reducing manual transcription. Barcode-based tracking links physical and digital workflows, supporting automation, multi-step coordination, and scalable collaboration across teams and laboratories.
From pain points to power: Transforming research workflows with IDBS
Brad Feilmeier, Sr. Principal Business Analyst, Boehringer Ingelheim
Research teams often face hidden inefficiencies caused by manual data entry, fragmented tools, and copy-paste workflows. This session presents a real-world case study where these challenges were addressed through a unified, API-driven workflow built around IDBS E-Workbook, Inventory, and the IDBS REST API. The resulting automation enabled over 1,600 formulation experiment runs, saving approximately three hours per experiment and dramatically reducing errors. Attendees will see before-and-after workflows, understand how the systems work together, and learn how to identify similar automation opportunities within their own research environments.
Beyond spreadsheets: End-to-end ligand binding assay workflow for regulated bioanalysis in IDBS Polar
Jennifer Bourn, Principal Scientist, Novartis
This presentation showcases a digital transformation at Novartis GCP Bioanalysis Labs through the implementation of IDBS Polar ELN as a fully end-to-end GxP platform for ligand binding assay bioanalysis. Developed in close collaboration with Novartis IT and IDBS experts, the solution delivers controlled execution, seamless documentation, and complete data lineage directly at the bench. Starting with core capabilities such as reagent management, standardized templates, and equipment integration, the platform expanded to fully traceable LBA execution. The result strengthens compliance and inspection readiness while improving efficiency and enabling future analytics and AI-driven insights.
Discovery Bioanalysis Lab Workflow Automation: design, development, integration and implementation
Daniel Wall, Director, Discovery Bioanalytics Labs, Novartis
This presentation describes how Novartis Discovery Bioanalytical Labs, working with Novartis IT and IDBS, streamlined laboratory workflows using IDBS SmartBook and E-WorkBook. It follows the journey from initial concept through development and implementation, covering automation, system integration, and FAIR data reporting. Key challenges, platform adaptations, and solutions are discussed alongside performance metrics demonstrating improved efficiency. The session highlights how workflow automation has reduced cycle times, improved application integration, and supported faster, higher-quality decision-making in drug discovery.
Advantages of migrating from on-prem E-Workbook to SaaS Polar at Bayer Crop Science
Jennifer Green, Information Scientist & Yelena Hines, Genetic Composition Analysis System Specialist, Bayer Crop Science
Bayer Crop Science conducts global research, development, and regulatory work that requires secure, robust, and accessible systems. IDBS E-Workbook has long supported the capture of scientific and regulatory data. This session outlines Bayer’s migration from the on-premises E-Workbook solution to IDBS Polar SaaS. The move modernizes laboratory practices while enabling greater integration across product pipeline activities. Attendees will gain insight into the drivers for migration, expected benefits, and how a SaaS platform supports scalability, security, and cross-organizational collaboration.
Accelerating the Lab Loop: The next-generation Polar Platform for trusted, AI-ready science
Nick Fuller, Director, Value Stream, IDBS
Scientific teams are under pressure to accelerate discoveries without compromising compliance or data integrity. This session introduces how the IDBS Next Generation Platform speeds up the Lab Loop while preserving rigorous governance and trust. We’ll show how Polar Intelligence turns historical data into actionable hypotheses and experiment proposals, and how Modular Workflows convert those proposals into validated, reusable processes that replace scattered SOPs and spreadsheets. Attendees will see guided execution, real-time instrument and inventory data capture and AI-driven summarization that removes hours of manual effort; all built on responsible, auditable, GxP‑aligned AI where your data always remains your own. We’ll close with a look ahead to the safe, compliant evolution toward agentic, autonomous lab execution.
Panel Discussion – Scaling AI & Data Quality in the Life Sciences
Jennifer Omigie, AI Product Lead, IDBS (Moderator)
Stephen Gelling, Head of Lab Informatics, Boehringer Ingelheim
Swetabh Pathak, Co-founder and CTO, Elucidata
Bryan Marsh, Principal Solutions Architect Public Sector Healthcare & Life Sciences, AWS
This panel discussion brings together industry perspectives on what it actually takes to scale AI in life sciences beyond initial pilots. Structured around Technology & Agentic AI and Data Quality & Foundations, the conversation explores the practical realities of AI adoption—from defining AI-ready data and evolving beyond FAIR principles, to designing trust into workflows and governance. With honest insights from across the ecosystem, the discussion highlights that scaling AI is as much an organisational and cultural challenge as it is a technical one.
Poster presentations
Please click on the images to listen to the audio recordings
Capture procedural data step‑by‑step in Polar
Danielle Vilar, Senior Consultant, IDBS
This poster demonstrates how Polar canvases enable scientists to capture procedural data step by step while maintaining usability, structure, and compliance. By combining procedural text with contextual data entry, teams can follow protocols naturally while ensuring traceability and consistency. The approach uses structured background tables displayed flexibly on the canvas, supporting exception checking, change tracking, and guided workflows. The result is procedural data that is easier to follow, audit, reuse, and maintain—helping teams move beyond unstructured documents without adding unnecessary complexity to everyday lab work.
Simplifying data out with data view configurations (DVCs)
Scott Sullivan
This poster addresses a common challenge: extracting structured data from spreadsheets for analytics and reporting. Data View Configurations (DVCs) provide a standardized, governed way to define how spreadsheet data is structured and delivered downstream. Instead of preparing data repeatedly, the structure is defined once and reused across reporting, analytics, and Insight Apps. Centrally managed through Cloud Administration, DVCs support both legacy and new data capture while improving trust, consistency, and scalability. The result is faster access to analytics‑ready data with significantly reduced manual effort.
Beyond go‑live – Measuring ROI from IDBS Polar
Sumeet Chawla
This poster explains how organizations can move beyond system deployment to define, measure, and sustain return on investment from IDBS Polar. It outlines a structured approach focused on articulating business drivers, calculating holistic ROI beyond cost savings, and tracking a balanced set of operational and strategic KPIs over time. By positioning Polar as a strategic investment, teams can link adoption and compliance to long‑term outcomes such as research efficiency, cost reduction, and AI readiness. A centralized data foundation enables continued value realization well beyond go‑live.
Spreadsheet Automated Testing
Michel Rafat, Scientific Strategic Consultant, IDBS
This poster addresses the challenge of manual spreadsheet regression testing, which is time consuming, costly, and increases compliance risk. It presents an automated approach using data driven test scripts that validate spreadsheets without programming, with all components managed in a single experiment. Automation improves reliability, reduces execution time and documentation effort, and lowers operational cost while aligning with regulatory expectations. By shifting effort upfront, teams enable faster testing cycles, support frequent upgrades, and maintain confidence in business critical processes and outcomes at scale.
Tech transfer with Polar and PIMS
Ken Forman
This poster explores how Polar and PIMS support smoother, more reliable tech transfer from development through full manufacturing. By maintaining a consistent digital thread across process design, control strategy, and execution, teams can reuse definitions rather than recreating them at each stage. This reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and improves confidence during scale‑up. The approach also strengthens CMC traceability by clearly showing how processes evolve from early development to commercial production. Overall, it accelerates tech transfer timelines while improving consistency, quality, and manufacturing readiness.
Spreadsheet simplification with Polar Control
Ken Forman
This poster explores how Polar supports the full lifecycle of process design, execution, and analysis in a single system. Using ISA-88‑aligned recipes, teams can define modular, reusable process structures with clear parameters and specifications. Integration with the Polar catalogue ensures parameters are defined once and reused consistently across workflows. Built‑in versioning and audit trails support governance and compliance, while dynamic configuration enables processes to be adapted and executed across contexts without rebuilding. Connectivity to inventory and analytics platforms provides real‑time visibility and insight to support better decision‑making.
Enhanced inventory management
Ken Forman
This poster highlights how enhanced inventory management in IDBS Polar helps laboratories remain flexible, compliant, and efficient as requirements evolve. Inventory records and items can move between types, allowing configurations to change without system redesign or rework. Shared property definitions reduce duplication and improve consistency across inventory data. Proactive compliance features automatically monitor conditions such as expiry and calibration status, updating item status when issues arise. Configurable alerts and direct inventory tagging within the ELN strengthen traceability, reduce risk, and help ensure only compliant inventory is used in scientific workflows.
Plan. Assign. Track. Deliver with Request
Ken Forman
This poster introduces Request as a centralized platform that brings work planning, scheduling, and execution into one system. Instead of relying on spreadsheets and email, teams can plan experiments, maintenance, calibrations, and project work with clear ownership and timelines. Integration with the Notebook enables automatic experiment generation, while enhanced tracking improves visibility and coordination. Inventory integration ensures required materials are linked to work. With improved usability and traceable communication, Request acts as a single hub for managing scientific work more efficiently across teams.
Agenda
The i3 2026 program delivers a full day of insight, learning and practical knowledge‑sharing across the scientific digital landscape. Throughout the event, you’ll explore how organizations are modernizing their data infrastructures, moving from legacy and on‑prem systems to integrated, cloud‑native platforms, and transforming both discovery and regulated bioanalysis workflows through automation.
For those arriving early, an optional networking evening event will take place on May 17th at Puttshack Boston, starting at 5PM.
Please bookmark this page as new speakers and sessions will be added as they are confirmed.
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