Miniaturized system for screening of primary cells based on droplet microarray
Current cell screening systems based on microtiter plates are mainly used to perform drug discovery experiments. However, performing a larger number of therapeutic tests on patient derived (primary) cells is yet impossible due to the high consumption of reagents and cells when using microplates. In the clinical context, personalized drug screenings for optimal medical treatment are not possible due to the scarcity of precious primary cells. In pre-clinical drug discovery, the extremely high cost of primary cells limits the innovation potential as researchers hardly have access to screening models which are relevant for human physiology. The possibility to use scarce cell types like primary cells or stem cells therefore is the future of basic life science research, drug discovery (replacing animal models) as well as personalized medicine applications (individual precision therapies) and will have significant impact for a healthy society. Further miniaturization of current assays would inevitably allow the wide use of scarce cell types and at the same time reduce costs, increase throughput, and increase biological relevance of screening results. DMA allows researchers and clinicians to perform meaningful experiments with primary cells and circulating tumor cells – alternative technologies hardly work with low cell numbers.
EC funding Phase 2 will allow Aquarray to mass produce its offer – the DMA Cartridge and also the disruptive Cell Screening System that integrates the DMA Cartridge with a nanoliter dispenser, an incubator and a read-out apparatus. Aquarray’s disruptive business model will employ a B2B direct sales of the DMA Slides and the Screening System, and at the same time sales can be maximized through partnerships with companies selling liquid nano-dispensers such as Dispendix and Labcyte. We are expected to generate €167M revenues by 2025 capturing 9.37% of the market.