Grifols and Inpeco join forces to deliver transfusion medicine ‘lab of the future’

The broader diagnostic capabilities enhance Grifols leadership in developing and providing a complete set of automation solutions that optimize operations regardless of size, from small labs to large blood banks

7 Apr 2025

Grifols and Inpeco joining forces to deliver transfusion medicine ‘lab of the future’

Grifols, a global healthcare company and leading manufacturer of plasma-derived medicines and innovative diagnostic solutions, has announced it has signed a strategic agreement with Inpeco, a global leader in total laboratory automation technologies, to provide transfusion medicine labs with complete, tailored instrumentation, robotics and software capabilities to modernize their operations and make them more efficient.

The partnership adds to Grifols’ global leadership in instrumentation, reagents, and technical service that screens blood and plasma for possible pathogens as well as performs blood typing for safer transfusions. Grifols, whose technology analyzes tens of millions of donor samples each year, now complements its portfolio with Inpeco’s new open automation system FlexLab™ X, a combination of leading-edge robotics and software that will enable Grifols solutions to interconnect with, and expand within, existing and future lab footprints.

Specifically, Grifols will enhance its industry-leading analytical technologies known for their high throughput and precision with Inpeco’s iconic automation solutions that dispatch sample tubes to Grifols analyzers, among others, and then, after testing, route them to a refrigerated storage to further reduce manual intervention while guaranteeing full sample traceability. Digital dashboards provide real-time data on lab performance, while flexible architecture allows to adopt innovations still to come.

As part of their collaboration, the two companies are exploring areas in which their combined engineering expertise could deliver more value to transfusion medicine laboratories, which could include technologies that focus on sample pooling, analysis, and transport.

“Grifols is providing the laboratory of the future,” said Antonio Martínez, president of Grifols Diagnostic Business Unit. “We are extremely pleased to join forces with Inpeco, two global lab technology leaders with a complete solution for labs of any size to fully equip their operations knowing they will have the most advanced and scalable technologies today and in the future.”

“At Inpeco, we believe that end-to-end automation is the key to eliminating errors in diagnostic processes,” said Riccardo Triunfo, CEO of Inpeco. “Especially in transfusion medicine, where precision is non-negotiable, our mission is to ensure that labs operate with the highest levels of safety, efficiency, and accuracy. Our partnership with Grifols reinforces this vision, enabling laboratories to modernize their operations with confidence.”

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Erytra®

Grifols

Erytra® is a fully automated instrument with a high processing capacity for performing pre-transfusion compatibility tests using the gel agglutination technique. Erytra® combines Grifols' experience and technology with the advantages of the unique Grifols DG Gel® 8-column cards.Erytra® is a walk-away autoanalyzer with self-organizing capacity that manages and executes all the necessary steps when performing blood typing techniques and investigation of unexpected antibodies: Positive identification of samples and reagents Maintenance of globular suspensions Dilution of samples  Dispensing of samples and reagents Incubation and centrifugation of DG Gel® cards Reading and interpretation of results Report generation High loading capacity Up to 400 DG Gel® cards. 3200 tests Maximum capacity: 96 samples, 54 reagents Optimization of space: random positioning of samples and reagents Easy loading of cards: directly from the packaging racks Continuous working Full continuous loading with no interruptions 4 hours non-stop, stand-alone use Double entry spaces. 2 drawers for reagents, 4 drawers for samples and 4 drawers for cards Fully optimized work time Practical organization of the workload Synchronized management of programmed techniques High throughput Unique 8-column format Combining Erytra® with DG Gel® cards allows maximum processing capacity. 800 tests/hour Upright design Erytra® introduces a new concept: verticality 1 Erytra® = 4 WADiana®. Same footprint. Higher capacity and speed Maximum space optimization. Practical and compact format. Floor model. 3 operational levels Structure: 15 drawers. 2 arms. 2 probes. 4 incubators. 2 centrifuges Stand-alone equipment with integrated software. Adjustable touch screen & built-in working table Safekeeping measures Card integrity checking before and after use with computer vision Expiration date control Presence control. Positive identification Real-time reagent inventory. Information and warnings User safety. Process safety Peace of mind Minimal interaction for the user. Total convenience Remote control. Data access and validation Freedom of movement. Flexibility in the routine Absolute priority for emergency samples. Random positioning. Direct identification Bidirectional connectivity to the LIS Minimum maintenance Transparent structure. Confidence in the processes & results Process status indicator light & alarm Grifols know-how Works exclusively with DG Gel® cards State of the art technology. Ease of use Latest generation intuitive software. Touch screen Optimal handling of small sample volumes Intelligent agitation of reagents Automatic temperature management of the 4 incubators. Optimization through mobile lifts Digital reading of results. High resolution color image Operational modes: by batch, lab rhythm, STAT Green technology Lead-free design 100% use of cards Two-row packaging rack for 25 DG Gel® cards. Less plastic usage No disposables required Optimized reagent consumption

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Calprotectin ELISA

Alpha Laboratories Ltd

The BÜHLMANN fCAL® ELISA (EK-CAL) is the UK market-leading calprotectin ELISA. It provides quantitative in vitro determination of fecal calprotectin in high sample throughput environments.

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HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.Transfusion DiagnosticsClinical AutomationClinical laboratory automation refers to the use of automated systems in clinical laboratories to increase efficiency, reduce human error, and improve patient care. From sample analysis to total laboratory automation, this plays a critical role in modern diagnostics and laboratory workflows. Explore clinical automation solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.PlasmaBlood AnalysisThe analysis of blood is vital for many areas of life sciences and forensic investigations. Blood samples can be tested for a number of different reasons such as diagnosis, glucose levels, cholesterol and drug testing.Software Solution
Grifols and Inpeco joining forces to deliver transfusion medicine ‘lab of the future’