Reimagining Immunoassays With End-to-End Integrated Solutions

W H I T E PAPER Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery Imagine a scenario where samples moved efficiently from preparation to analysis, with minimal manual intervention, optimized protocols, and real-time data capture. Revvity’s comprehensive immunoassay ecosystem transforms this vision into reality by integrating instruments, reagents, services, and support into a cohesive, customizable solution. From assay design to data analysis, Revvity’s solutions are designed to help streamline each stage of the workflow, with the goal of enhancing efficiencies, reducing sources of variability, and improving the potential for insightful research outcomes. In this article, we outline the key challenges facing immunoassay workflows and demonstrate how Revvity’s integrated solutions are designed to address these limitations and promote consistency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness across the entire workflow. The immunoassay integration challenge Immunoassays play a central role across the life sciences, from academic and pharmaceutical research to the work of both Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). These assays are essential for detecting and quantifying specific molecules, identifying and characterizing biomarkers, supporting therapeutic discovery, and assessing drug potency, safety, and function throughout the discovery, development, and manufacturing pipeline. However, immunoassay workflows often encounter multiple challenges. Among these are inconsistent results, fragmented workflows, data management and interpretation, and growing budget constraints. Whether in academia, pharma, or contract services, these challenges can disrupt productivity and compromise outcomes. Challenges in immunoassay integration Challenge Problem Impact Inconsistent results Lack of reproducibility across platforms and studies • Data confidence undermined • Slower decision making • Regulatory hurdles • Research delays Fragmented workflows Disconnected processes from sample prep to analysis • Increased turnaround time • Reduced data integrity and traceability • Higher error rates and inconsistencies • Inefficiencies in high-throughput environments Budget constraints High costs limit scalability and flexibility • Limited operational scale • Slow adoption of innovation • Talent retention challenges Table 1: Challenges in immunoassay integration Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery www.revvity.com 2 Inconsistent results Immunoassays offer tremendous value across research and clinical applications, although their full potential is best realized when assay conditions, reagents, and platforms are properly optimized and calibrated. Without this optimization, lack of concordance across platforms can make it difficult to interpret data with confidence, ultimately hindering research continuity, slowing down decision making, and complicating data interpretation for regulatory submissions. Inconsistencies can arise from several sources. First, immunoassay designs can vary considerably, from the choice of detection method to the assay format, which influences performance characteristics. Reagent quality and manufacturing variability play important roles in reliable outcomes, as lot-to-lot variations can affect assay sensitivity or signal output. Standardized calibration methods and procedures across platforms enable more effective comparisons across studies or transitions between technologies while biological interferences, such as endogenous immunoglobulins or heterophile antibodies, can distort assay signals and further skew results. And finally, human factors are a continuous source of variability. Pipetting techniques, incubation times, and sample handling can all impact results, especially in manual workflows. These inconsistencies all represent real risks to productivity and decision-making processes. Fragmented workflows In addition to technical variability, traditional immunoassay workflows are often fragmented, involving multiple manual steps and specialized instruments. Again, this fragmentation stems from several factors. Manual handling of samples and reagents can increase the likelihood of errors such as pipetting mistakes, reagent contamination, or sample mislabeling. These time-consuming steps add variability to workflows, particularly in high-throughput or multi-site settings where consistency is key. Additionally, using multiple standalone instruments, each with its own operating protocols and data formats, creates obstacles to workflow optimization and data consolidation. By streamlining these processes, from sample preparation to data analysis, laboratories can enhance efficiency, reduce potential errors, optimize turnaround times, and strengthen data integrity. Budget constraints The final—and often most pressing—challenge is budget constraints. As organizations across the academic, pharmaceutical, and contract research sectors face increasing pressure to do more with less, the financial implications of traditional immunoassay workflows become a major consideration. These workflows can be resource intensive due to the need for multiple instruments tailored to different assay types or detection methods. Maintaining a suite of specialized instruments can be expensive, not only in terms of upfront costs but also ongoing maintenance and calibration. Furthermore, each will require its own reagents, calibration protocols, and maintenance schedules, driving up costs especially when scaling up experiments. Beyond the equipment, there is a significant human resource investment, with each instrument and experiment requiring dedicated and/or highly-trained personnel. Recruiting, training, and retaining this expertise can be both time consuming and resource intensive, especially in an industry where skilled talent is in high demand. This fragmented, resource-heavy approach can make it difficult for organizations, big or small, to scale operations efficiently or respond quickly to shifting project demands. These challenges of variability, fragmentation, and budget pressure don’t exist in isolation. They intersect across every stage of the immunoassay workflow, potentially introducing risk, variability, and operational inefficiencies. Addressing these issues not only requires making incremental changes; it necessitates rethinking how immunoassays are designed, integrated, and executed across the entire workflow. In an environment where funding and budgets are constrained, the need for more streamlined, cost-effective solutions has never been more relevant. The integrated approach As research demands grow and budgets tighten, a more integrated immunoassay strategy offers a promising avenue to address the challenges discussed earlier, enhancing efficiency, consistency, and scalability in the lab. By combining advanced instrumentation, standardized protocols, and expert support, these integrated solutions empower researchers to produce high-quality, reproducible data more quickly and with fewer resources. Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery www.revvity.com 3 Key benefits of an integrated immunoassay workflow include: Enhanced consistency: Standardized platforms and assay protocols reduce variability, leading to more reliable and reproducible results. Streamlined workflows: Automation and integration minimize the need for manual steps, reducing the risk of errors, shortening turnaround times, and freeing up personnel for more high-value tasks. Cost efficiencies: Consolidating workflows helps lower costs by reducing the number of instruments needed, simplifying training, and optimizing resources and reagent use. In the following sections, we’ll explore how immunoassay technologies have evolved and how Revvity’s integrated ecosystem is redefining what’s possible in immunoassay research. The evolution of immunoassay technology The journey of immunoassay technology began in the late 1950s with the development of the radioimmunoassay by Rosalyn Yalow and Solomon Berson.1 This groundbreaking method, which relied on the use of radioactive isotopes to quantify antigen-antibody interactions, earned Yalow the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1977. A major breakthrough followed in the early 1970s with the introduction of the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA),2 which replaced radioactive labels with enzymes, offering a safer and more practical approach for detecting antigens and antibodies. As scientific questions have grown more complex, so too have the demands on immunoassay systems. Over the decades, ELISA has undergone substantial refinement, incorporating numerous enhancements such as chemiluminescent and fluorescent substrates that dramatically increased sensitivity and reduced assay times. Today, researchers have access to a diverse array of immunoassay formats, including multiplexed assays and fully automated systems, that reduce manual handling, increase throughput, and expand analytical capabilities. How Revvity advances the modern workflow Building on decades of experience, Revvity is reshaping immunoassay workflows by delivering solutions that address the core challenges of inconsistency, fragmentation, and cost inefficiency. Comprehensive portfolio Revvity’s immunoassay offerings span from traditional ELISAs to more innovative no-wash and flow-based platforms. These flexible formats are optimized for compatibility across various multimode reading instruments and applications, supporting a wide range of research needs across different scientific disciplines. No-wash immunoassays Recognizing the challenges of manual wash steps in ELISA, Revvity has developed multiple no-wash immunoassay technologies including HTRF™, AlphaLISA™, and LANCE™ Ultra™. These platforms streamline workflows, reduce variability, and are particularly well-suited for highthroughput screening applications. Integrated solutions Beyond individual assays, Revvity offers customizable integrated workstations with preset protocols that enhance both efficiency and sensitivity. These end-to-end solutions encompass assay design, automation, data analysis, and expert support, ensuring a cohesive workflow from sample to result. Revvity’s complete ecosystem approach While innovations in individual technologies, such as detection, automation, or assay platforms, can improve isolated steps of the workflow, the real wins come from a fully integrated system where every component is designed to work cohesively with others. As shown in Figure 1, Revvity’s end-to-end immunoassay ecosystem brings together instruments, reagents, automation, and software to create a seamless, cohesive workflow from sample to insight. The following section explores each area—sample preparation, assay execution, detection, automation, and data analysis—illustrating how, when these tools are used together, they not only simplify workflows but also multiply their effectiveness. Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery www.revvity.com 4 Figure 1: Revvity’s integrated immunoassay ecosystem illustrates how each component—from sample preparation through to data analysis—works together to create a seamless workflow designed to enhance reproducibility, efficiency, and data quality. Sample preparation Workflow challenge: Sample preparation variability. Ensuring quality starting material through effective homogenization and lysis. Sample preparation represents a foundational first step in successful immunoassay workflows. Effective homogenization, the process of breaking down biological samples into a uniform mixture, is essential to ensure consistent lysis and analyte extraction from samples. Samples are not limited to tough tissues, but complex matrices such as cell cultures and biological fluids where researchers may want to shy from harsh chemicals or enzymes. Incomplete homogenization and lysis can introduce significant variability, potentially compromising the integrity and analytical reproducibility of the data. Revvity solution: Advanced homogenization technologies Revvity addresses these challenges through a suite of offerings designed to support efficient and reliable processing across both small-scale studies and high-throughput workflows. Omni Bead Ruptor™ bead mill homogenizers leverage the power and consistency of mechanical shearing by bead-beating that maximizes tissue disruption and cell lysis in a sealed vessel, making them highly effective for tough, complex, or fibrous samples. For labs who prefer rotor-stator technologies for certain applications, Omni mixers and handheld/standmounted homogenizers offer efficient, tunable processing, especially when coupled with Omni Tip™ disposable probes to significantly minimize risk of cross-contamination. Importantly, these solutions build the foundation for Omni automated workstations that seamlessly integrate into high-throughput workflows significantly reducing operator variability and giving time back to the researcher for complex tasks. Revvity offers a path to standardize and scale upstream sample prep that’s conducive to the success of downstream immunoassay performance, enhancing the analytical sensitivity, specificity, and overall reproducibility of results. Assay execution Workflow challenge: Diverse research requirements. Selecting the optimal immunoassay format for specific applications. Today’s researchers can choose from a diverse array of immunoassay technology platforms, each optimized for specific research applications. The ideal assay format depends on several factors, including the target analyte, required sensitivity, sample type, multiplexing needs, and overall throughput requirements. Additional considerations include workflow complexity, instrument compatibility, and cost efficiency. Immunoassays Workflow • ELISA • LEGENDplex • ELISpot • Alpha • HTRF • LANCE • DELFIA • Omni homogenizers and lysis kits • Fontus • JANUS • Assays • Custom • Multimode plate readers • Image cytometers • explorer G3 • Revvity Signals software Sample Preparation Liquid Handling Microplate Read out Lab Automation Analyze Revvity Solution Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery www.revvity.com 5 Revvity solution: Comprehensive immunoassay portfolio Revvity offers a vast selection of immunoassay technologies to support these varied needs, spanning pre-configured kits to customizable reagents. Traditional ELISA remains a reliable option for many labs, offering robust quantification with straightforward workflows and accessible instrumentation. As an additional wash-based option, DELFIA™ technology combines the benefits of time resolved fluorescence (TRF) with lanthanide chelates to create a highly sensitive, robust, and reproducible assay format. For those seeking enhanced sensitivity and broader dynamic range, Revvity’s no-wash assay technologies, including HTRF, AlphaLISA, and LANCE Ultra, provide streamlined workflows and rapid detection with minimal hands-on time. For multiplexing applications, LEGENDplex™ assays enable the simultaneous quantification of multiple targets in a single sample. Additionally, the ELISpot assay (utilizing BioLegend antibodies/reagents with T-SPOT® technology research applications) from Revvity can achieve highly sensitive and specific cytokine measurements of cell-mediated immune responses at the single-cell level. These platforms can be tailored to specific experimental requirements or scaled for high-throughput applications through Revvity’s customization services. By offering this flexibility, researchers can select the optimal immunoassay approach for everything from early discovery to advanced therapeutic development. Detection systems Workflow challenge: Diverse detection requirements Transforming biochemical interactions into reliable quantitative data. Detection is a critical phase in the immunoassay workflow, offering a way to transform biochemical interactions into quantifiable data. Multimode plate readers are essential tools in this phase, enabling the measurement of various biological, chemical, and physical interactions occurring in microplate-based assays. These instruments support a range of detection modes, including absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, and Alpha technology, offering the flexibility to accommodate various assay types. Revvity solution: Integrated detection systems Revvity’s portfolio of multimode microplate readers are developed to enable results across all major detection modes. By engineering multiple reading mode/technologies into a single instrument, these systems allow researchers to seamlessly transition between assay formats without compromising performance or workflow efficiency. They are optimized for compatibility with Revvity’s broad assay portfolio, ensuring reliable data acquisition from ELISA to AlphaLISA, HTRF, and other advanced assay platforms. For high-content applications, Revvity also offers automated cell counting image cytometers and high-resolution imaging systems, combining quantitative fluorescence detection with spatial cellular information. This enables precise cell density and counting as well as phenotypic analysis at sub-cellular level. Together, these detection and imaging solutions enable researchers to confidently generate high-quality data—supporting a variety of applications and research needs. For traditional 96-well plates, Revvity also offers the Mini ELISA Plate Reader™, a small, compact instrument capable of saving time and space in the lab. A single USB cord enables plug-and-play functionality, with 96 detection units scanning all 96 wells simultaneously. Intuitive operation makes it easy to read your plate and obtain data at a rapid pace. Automation solutions Workflow challenge: Scalability and consistency. Managing complex workflows while minimizing variability. As immunoassay workflows become more complex and throughput demands increase, the ability to automate tasks has become a critical enabler of speed, consistency, and data quality. Manual handling—while still necessary in certain contexts—can introduce variability and limit scalability, bringing unwanted bottlenecks and risks to lab processes. Automated systems help mitigate these challenges by streamlining repetitive tasks such as sample preparation, liquid handling, and plate processing. Revvity solution: Flexible automation platforms Revvity’s automation portfolio is designed to address the diverse needs of modern laboratories, from benchtop application-specific workstations to fully integrated, high-throughput systems. Automated liquid handlers such as the Fontus™ and JANUS™ platforms are engineered to Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery www.revvity.com 6 minimize human error, reduce sample-to-sample variability, and enhance overall workflow efficiency. For more complex workflows, the explorer™ G3 series offers an integrated solution, combining microplate handling, liquid handling, detection, and imaging into a seamless system. These flexible, scalable, and modular platforms support a range of applications including high-throughput screening, cell-based assays, and genomics-based workflows. Systems can be customized to incorporate Revvity instruments alongside third-party technologies, offering laboratories the flexibility to design an automation ecosystem aligned with their specific research objectives. Data analysis Workflow challenge: Data complexity and integration. Extracting meaningful insights from expanding data volumes. Deriving meaningful insights from the large volumes of data generated represents the culminating challenge. As experimental designs become more complex and data volumes increase, traditional manual analysis methods are often impractical. Instead, advanced analysis tools are essential, not only for efficiently processing the data, but also uncovering patterns, trends, and correlations that might otherwise remain hidden. Revvity solution: Integrated informatics platform Revvity Signals Software is the Scientific Informatics and SaaS Platform Business for Revvity and offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of scientific software in the world. The portfolio includes multiple solutions including a cloud-based end-to-end workflow solutions providing data capture and collaboration, data processing, and data-driven analytics. By integrating information from multiple departments, instruments and data sources across the immunoassay workflow, it helps to mitigate the risk of data silos and is designed to help researchers maintain full context for their results. The Revvity Signals’ solution supports a wide variety of data types and is optimized for immunoassay workflows, including those using ELISA, AlphaLISA, HTRF, and multiplexed technologies. By digitally connecting every step of the workflow and structuring data and enabling visualization—from sample preparation to detection—Revvity Signals completes Revvity’s streamlined approach by ensuring that valuable insights aren’t lost in the data management process. For the LEGENDplex multiplexing assay, BioLegend provides a complimentary data analysis software suite designed to analyze LEGENDplex flow cytometry data files. The software suite consists of an online cloud-based program as well as downloadable desktop applications for both PC and Mac computers. Cross sector applications and benefits Revvity’s immunoassay ecosystem is built to deliver measurable value across a wide range of scientific sectors. Whether supporting discovery, advancing pipelines, or driving client project success, Revvity offers a unified, flexible, and future-ready workflow—connecting sample to insight with ease. Industry sector Value Key benefits Academic research Maximize discovery with limited resources • Cost-effective ELISA and no-wash assays reduce manual workload while maintaining accuracy • Open-format compatibility supports diverse instrumentation and evolving experimental needs. • Comprehensive support helps preserve knowledge continuity despite academic turnover, ensuring consistent research progress. Pharma/ Biopharma industry Accelerate drug discovery with confidence • High-sensitivity, scalable assays (HTRF, AlphaLISA, LANCE Ultra) optimize early screening and lead validation. • Open, automation-compatible formats reduce bottlenecks and enable seamless workflow expansion. • A single-source solution—from reagents to software—ensures reliability, efficiency, and regulatory readiness. CROs and CDMOs Deliver consistent, client-ready results • Standardized, verified immunoassays ensure reliable data across diverse client projects. • Cross-platform compatibility supports integration with sponsor systems and third-party instruments. • Modular automation and end-to-end technical support enhance throughput while ensuring compliance and data integrity. Table 2: Cross-sector applications and benefits of Revvity’s immunoassay ecosystem Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery www.revvity.com 7 Supporting this ecosystem is BioLegend’s expansive portfolio of high-quality antibodies, trusted by researchers for their performance across a broad range of research areas. Engineered to meet diverse experimental needs, these antibodies empower applications such as flow cytometry, TotalSeq™ for multi-omics, microscopy, immunoassays, and Western blotting. For organizations seeking additional resources, Revvity offers specialized immunoassay services through its Preclinical Services Portfolio at the Cambridge (UK) site. These services allow customers to access Revvity’s immunoassay expertise and capabilities, providing a valuable option for those who prefer outsourcing their immunoassay needs. Together, these solutions empower researchers across academia, pharma/biopharma, and CROs can fully leverage the power of Revvity’s integrated immunoassay approach to drive future innovation and discovery. Future outlook As immunological research advances and precision medicine becomes increasingly sophisticated, the future of immunoassay workflows will be defined by seamless integration, smarter data interpretation, and increasingly complex biological models. From single-cell analytics to artificial intelligence, researchers are moving towards a deeper understanding of the immune system than ever before. Emerging applications and technologies include the following: Single-cell analysis: The ability to investigate cellular signaling and interactions at the individual cell level using single-cell technologies will offer opportunities to better understand immune complexity. These insights will be vital for designing precise therapeutic antibodies, identifying novel vaccine candidates, and developing more targeted immunotherapies. Multi-omics tools: The integration of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics tools will provide a more holistic view of immune function. By aligning these approaches, researchers will be able to better understand how molecular changes influence immune responses. 3D cell models: As cell models continue to evolve, 3D cell culture systems, such as organoids, are offering a more physiologically relevant context for immunological studies. These models allow researchers to explore immune interactions at the tissue and organ levels, offering insights into both healthy and tumor microenvironments. When paired with high-content imaging, these models allow researchers to quantify small immunological changes, potentially advancing the understanding necessary for the future development of precision therapies. Automation: Integrating automated systems into 3D cell culture workflows is essential to manage the added complexity. Automating these workflows not only reduces variability but also improves throughput and reproducibility, enabling researchers to study cellular dynamics and immune responses under physiologically relevant conditions. AI and machine learning: The use of AI and machine learning is transforming how immunoassay data is analyzed and interpreted. Information within large, complex datasets can be mined to uncover disease-specific immune signatures, enhance prognostic capabilities, and support predictive models. Looking ahead, a more comprehensive understanding of the immune system at the molecular and single-cell level will be essential for progress across immunological modalities. From vaccine development and antibody engineering to targeted immunotherapies and host-graft compatibility, integrated immunoassay technologies will be central to future progress across every aspect of immune research. Revvity’s immunoassay ecosystem integrates instruments, reagents, automation, and software to support a streamlined workflow from sample preparation through to data analysis. This approach is designed to improve reproducibility, reduce variability, and enable researchers to generate high-quality data across a broad range of immunological applications. Reimagining immunoassay workflows: The integrated future of discovery For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. 1909502 www.revvity.com Copyright ©2025, Revvity, Inc. All rights reserved. Revvity is a trademark of Revvity, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. References 1. Yalow RS, Berson SA. Immunoassay of endogenous plasma insulin in man. Journal of Clinical Investigation 1960; 39: 1157–1175. 2. Engvall E, Perlmann P. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantitative assay of immunoglobulin G. Immunochemistry 1971; 8: 871–874.