This presentation evaluates an automated plate reading system, APAS® Independence, for microbiological growth detection and colony counting, comparing it with traditional manual methods. APAS Independence integrates high-resolution image acquisition, automated image analysis, and direct data transfer to LIMS, aiming to improve accuracy, consistency, and data integrity. The system demonstrates high agreement with reference results (>99% PPA) and low false negative rates, with false positives mainly caused by non-microbial interferences. Findings support the system’s potential to improve efficiency and data integrity, while highlighting the need for colony-level validation and timely plate assessment.

Presentation: Pfizer

Conference: PharmaLab Congress 2025

Date: 26 November 2025

Presenter: Juan Diego González Moreno, Senior Scientist Manufacturing Excellence, Pfizer