Commentary & Perspectives
Electronic Lab Notebooks Are Failing Scientists and Inflating R&D Costs
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By
February 10, 2026
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3 min
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1
62% of scientists find their ELN efficient.
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65% repeat experiments due to ELN retrieval issues.
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51% spend too much time on data handling.
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ELNs need modernizing to analyze data, not just record.
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5
45% of scientists use public AI tools for research support.
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6
Future ELNs should feature conversational interfaces.
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7
Workflow rigidity in ELNs hinders scientific progress.
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A recent survey by Sapio Sciences reveals that electronic lab notebooks (ELNs), intended to enhance laboratory efficiency, are often seen as barriers to scientific progress by many researchers in the biopharma and clinical diagnostics fields. The study of 150 scientists across the US and Europe found that only 62% believe their ELNs improve efficiency, with 65% having to repeat experiments due to difficulty in retrieving past results. Many scientists are now resorting to generative AI tools to compensate for their ELNs' limitations. There is a strong call for the next generation of ELNs to prioritize data interpretation and ease of use.
-
1
62% of scientists find their ELN efficient.
-
2
65% repeat experiments due to ELN retrieval issues.
-
3
51% spend too much time on data handling.
-
4
ELNs need modernizing to analyze data, not just record.
-
5
45% of scientists use public AI tools for research support.
-
6
Future ELNs should feature conversational interfaces.
-
7
Workflow rigidity in ELNs hinders scientific progress.
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