A new chip developed by an Irish nanotechnology company that can be used in clinical trials will give major biotech and pharmaceutical companies access to powerful data and a competitive edge in their respective markets.
Cellix Ltd, which is headquartered in Dublin and maintains offices in New York, develops technologies that accurately mimic cellular behaviour for cell-based screening in drug discovery.
The biochip breakthrough could save biotech and pharmaceutical companies millions in new product development and enable a more rapid route to market.
Cellix, which provides microfluidic systems in the emerging field of nano-lifesciences, earlier this week launched its VenaEC biochip.
The biochip enables researchers to execute physiologically relevant flow experiments, evaluating the performance of suspension cells to new treatments.
A wide range of suspension cell samples can be used with the biochip, including T-cells, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, platelets and whole blood (heparinized).
Cellix CEO, Vivienne Williams, said the biochip will provide scientists with a unique and robust cell-based assay tool for drug discovery, particularly in lead optimisation studies.
“The VenaEC Biochip gives researchers a physiological snap-shot of how a potential lead candidate will affect cells in a human capillary,” Williams explained.
“This is a robust, in-vitro, cell-based assay that will give major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies powerful data and a competitive edge on how their lead candidates will perform in clinical trials,” she added.
By John Kennedy
