For Immediate Release: January 14, 2009

Boston, MA – Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental company, has completed their proprietary solvent dispensing system startup at Cambridge, MA based Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  The system is designed to continuously supply solvent reagents to laboratory equipment more safely and economically than traditional methods.

Low volume solvent reservoir

Traditional practice limits solvent quantities stored at the bench and have several operational disadvantages such as limited run cycles, low productivity, frequent bottle changes, personnel safety, and fire hazards.  The PAI solvent dispensing system continuously delivers solvents from storage located in a ground floor fire safe room and dispenses to equipment in the laboratory space located on the fourth floor.  Low volume reservoirs regulate flow via spigots similar to other bench top reagents (i.e., argon and reagent water).

Under bench Waste Transfer Station

Waste Solvents are also counted in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) storage limits
and the PAI Solvent Dispensing System has allowed Alnylam to reduce waste storage on the laboratory floor by 90%. Automatic under bench waste transfer stations continuously transport waste solvents to a central storage tank located in a ground floor fire safe room.

Improved flexibility for chemistry laboratories in Boston and Cambridge using PAI’s Solvent Dispensing System will allow unused spaces to be reprogrammed for chemistry. Furthermore, existing space can be better utilized by freeing space from reagent and waste storage.