Published on September 19, 2023
The better laboratory standard
Every day, tens of thousands of microplates are used worldwide for laboratory applications in bioscience. So far, the so-called multiwell plates with 96 or 384 measuring chambers or wells, comparable to millimeter-sized wells, have been considered the gold standard. Introduced as early as the 1960s, these mostly transparent plastic plates are used in the laboratory as carriers for liquid samples, which are measured using UV/VIS spectroscopy, for instance. With a novel multiwell plate invented at the Institute of Process Engineering in Life Sciences (BLT) of KIT, Dr. Carsten Radtke and Jannik Jungmann want to improve laboratory technology in many ways with their foundation PHABIOC GmbH.
Creating something new: Multiwell
Spectroscopy is based on the absorption of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible (VIS) and ultraviolet (UV) light. Countless samples are irradiated by transmitted light. The attenuation of the light beam, in other words the measurable absorption, makes it possible to draw conclusions about the concentrations of an active ingredient in the sample. The method requires high standards, such as purity and optical clarity, for the consumables in the laboratory. Dr. Carsten Radtke, who completed his doctorate at the BLT in the field of biomolecular separation engineering, reports from practical experience: "Common microplates have process-related problems that lead to measurement inaccuracies, such as surface curvature in the reaction chamber caused by surface tension - called liquid meniscus - or errors caused by dilution steps, which become necessary due to the limited detection range. These problems are known to the users and the consequences of them are taken into account. Therefore, our motivation was to find a better solution."
A completely new UV-transparent sample carrier with closed step-like measuring chambers and pipettable inlet openings proved to be the breakthrough. The highlight of this multiwell plate: A measuring unit comprises four measuring chambers of different channel heights (100, 700, 1400 and 2000 micrometers), which are connected by a special channel structure. Radtke explains: "The chambers are completely filled with a specific sample volume so that no meniscus can form. The volume is also regulated via an inlet and outlet, regardless of whether I fill in slightly more or less. Even if a pipetting error occurs, it doesn't come into play." With the multiwell plate, called SpecPlate, the known problems can be eliminated and the reproducibility of measurements increased.
A bonus for the standard
By gradually increasing the channel height of the four chambers, it is possible to measure at four different dilution levels in one measuring procedure. This makes it possible to detect both high- and low-concentration species in a single measuring procedure. Ultimately, this means that using the SpecPlate can save a lot of time in adsorption measurements and accelerate the development of new pharmaceuticals. "Compared to classic microplates with one measuring point per reaction chamber, we have four measuring points. This allows us to reduce the total amount of plates used by a factor of four. The material input per plate, in our case cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC), is also lower than with standard corrugated plates," emphasizes inventor Radtke. The footprint of the new plate is based on the standard dimensions of microtiter plates and is therefore compatible with existing equipment in automated laboratory lines, such as plate readers and liquid handling stations (LHS).
Expanding potential in the project
"Our development was met with huge interest from the industry at conferences. For me, this was the confirmation that our promising product idea can become a commercial success. With the help of RESEARCH TO BUSINESS, we actively searched for partners in 2017 and found the perfect cooperation partner for further development in innoME," Radtke looks back. innoME GmbH realizes innovative products for and with its customers for applications in healthcare, biotechnology and hygiene monitoring. At the time, Jannik Jungmann worked as a product manager in the Pharma division at innoME and was one of the initiators of the cooperation. With the common goal of taking a product from the research field and laboratory stage to the next level, the partners further developed the multiwell plate into a functional prototype as part of a ZIM project (Central Innovation Program for SMEs of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action, BMWK).
Jungmann reports: "With the basic design of the plate, the foundation was already laid. Until then, the silicone samples were still produced by hand casting at KIT. The main task in the project was to make the product fit for industrial production and develop it into a pilot series." Within the three-year funding phase, the focus was on the development of a manufacturing process suitable for mass production: from process selection and material change, to the construction of an injection molding tool and the search for a manufacturing company, to the validation of the pilot series. "Injection molding of optically highly transparent plastics is still a fairly new field. Fortunately, we found a producer in Erwin Quader Systemtechnik GmbH who is willing to tackle the high demands with us," Jungmann reports happily. The family-owned company is currently setting up series production for the SpecPlate with a new plant and clean room and would like to open up the life science sector as a new business area in the future.
Taking advantage of entrepreneurial opportunity
Radtke makes it clear: "Together, we have developed SpecPlate to be marketable in order to make plate-based absorbance measurements in pharmaceutical and biotech research more efficient and precise. The vision is that our multiwell plates will eventually be in use by thousands in large screening laboratories and that the technology will become the standard. To achieve that, the spin-off was the next logical step." Jungmann adds, "We worked fantastically well together as a project team and then came up with a concrete proposal on how we wanted to take the venture forward. That was the starting signal for PHABIOC in 2022." Currently, the young entrepreneurs are working on setting up the company with the help of EXIST start-up funding and are preparing for the market launch of SpecPlate in 2024. Feedback from the first pilot customers in the DACH region gives Radtke and Jungmann confidence that the pilot status will turn into recurring purchases.
The founders are already successful on the market with a second product for the pharmaceutical industry, which Jungmann built up during his time at innoME. "In addition to SpecPlate, we also have a product for drug permeability testing in our portfolio. The PermeaPad is a barrier made of phospholipid and cellulose that biomimetically mimics mucosal barriers. These artificial barriers allow drug uptake studies to be conducted in the laboratory in vitro without the need for animal testing. In this way, we support drug development, for example for creams, ointments, tablets or capsules." At the moment, an intestinal barrier for the gastrointestinal tract is available as a ready-to-use product. A skin barrier will soon be available, which is of particular interest to the cosmetics industry.
PermeaPad is used to study the permeability of cell membranes in the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract or the oral and nasal mucosa, to active substances. The artificial barrier simulates the cell barrier. PermeaPad is available as a pure barrier or plate. (Image: PHABIOC GmbH)
PermeaPad is used to study the permeability of cell membranes in the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract or the oral and nasal mucosa, to active substances. The artificial barrier simulates the cell barrier. PermeaPad is available as a pure barrier or plate. (Image: PHABIOC GmbH)
Open Innovation for Biotechnology
The founders are not lacking in motivation and energy: PHABIOC is committed to developing and selling novel laboratory consumables for biotech and pharmaceutical research. In doing so, the founding duo is always open to cooperation and operates according to the principle of open innovation - bringing together internal and external know-how to generate good ideas and solutions together. "Our focus at the moment is on the SpecPlate and PermeaPad products. We want to establish ourselves in the market and grow organically," says Radtke. However, the founders already have many ideas for further and new developments in the drawer. "We are aware that with consumer products we are per se opposed to sustainability. That's why we're already looking at the possibilities of the future, for example, how the multiwell sheets could be reusable as a recyclate," Jungmann previews.
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