Genetix launches 'breakthrough' technology for biopharmaceuticals
UK company Genetix has launched its next generation mammalian cell imaging and picking instrument, the ClonePixFL. The instrument builds upon the success of the ClonePix, the first instrument developed to target one of the major bottlenecks of biopharmaceutical development. The ClonePixFL adds fluorescent capabilities to the ClonePix's unique ability to pick antibody-producing clones.
The ClonePixFL enables the selection of cells using quantitative measurements based on the pharmacological properties of affinity and specificity. This novel approach will dramatically reduce the time and cost of introducing new biopharmaceutical products, claims Genetix. Selection of colonies can be based upon fluorescence intensity of transfection markers, cell surface proteins or proteins secreted by the target cells, while advanced imaging enables zooming to single cell resolution, all of which, according to Genetix, represents a major advance in cell line selection and development.
Large populations of cells can be screened, significantly increasing the chance of identifying the best colonies. Using fluorescence labels, ClonePixFL can categorise the cells and pick the superset of highest expressing colonies for subsequent downstream tissue culture. Picking a smaller number of colonies - those that are the most productive - saves costs and shortens the development timeline.
'Through an early adoption programme we have already secured commitment for the first orders and have been very encouraged by the early interest shown,' said Dr Ian Taylor, business manager at Genetix. 'There is genuine belief that our new technology will deliver a competitive edge.'