Cyto-Motility and Cyto-Plasticity in Vitro Live-Cell Assay Platform

Cell-based assays and analyses are vital experimental tools in life science research and biomanufacturing. In these assays, crucial biological information is assessed by measuring certain properties of living cells grown in lab dishes. These assays are commonly used in drug discovery to validate how effective a new drug candidate is. They are also used in basic bioscience research and clinical studies to understand how our body functions. Cell motility is an important cellular property that determines cell movement in the body. This property is key to understanding vital biological processes like wound repair, tissue invasion in cancer, organ development, fibrosis, etc. Currently available assays to study cell motility are limited to how fast the cells move or invade and in a setting not identical to human tissues. They do not measure the “cellular intelligence” to decide where to move or how to move. Cymoplive is a novel assay platform that overcomes these limitations by evaluating how cells intelligently navigate in a 3D tissue-like space. Cymoplive is designed in a live microscopy-friendly format that enables measuring minute details not only at endpoints but also while the process happens. In this project, we aim to secure the protection of the technology, validate the optimal market segments, and identify the best commercialization pathway.

In the project period we have drafted and filed a patent application which was vital in order to discuss the technology with industry actors and end users as reverse engineering is possible with this technology. We have established a network of industry actors intrested in following the development of the project and support in development if applicable. Thus we have the neccessary connections to apply for further funding in the commercialisation of the technology.