The University of Manchester’s Centre of Excellence in Biopharmaceuticals (COEBP) has unveiled a groundbreaking biopharmaceutical manufacturing platform that significantly enhances the isolation of high-producing Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell populations. This development marks a pivotal shift in the field, promising to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
The researchers at COEBP faced the challenge of evaluating antibody titers across hundreds of study samples. Traditionally, the process relied heavily on Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), which required substantial manual processing. This led to the necessity of freezing cell cultures to manage throughput, causing delays in data acquisition and extending periods of unproductivity.
Introducing the Amperia™ System
To address these challenges, the lab introduced the Amperia™ system, a cutting-edge technology that allows for the measurement of antibody titers directly from crude samples, providing same-day results. This innovation eliminates the need for extensive sample preparation and freezing, thereby reducing the time lag associated with traditional methods.
Freezing and thawing cell cultures have long been a bottleneck in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, as they delay the reintroduction of samples into productive workflows. By minimizing the necessity of sample freezing, the Amperia™ system significantly curtails unproductive downtime, enhancing overall efficiency.
Key Advantages of the New Platform
The introduction of the Amperia™ system offers several critical advantages:
- Reduced Delays: The system minimizes the need to batch and store samples prior to analysis, avoiding delays that could extend up to three weeks.
- Increased Productivity: By enabling same-day results, the system allows for more rapid decision-making and improved workflow continuity.
“The Amperia™ system reduces the need to batch and store samples prior to analysis, helping avoid delays of up to three weeks.”
Background on Abselion
Abselion, originally founded as HexagonFab in 2018 at the University of Cambridge, has been at the forefront of simplifying protein research. The company was established with the goal of enabling scientists to focus on discovery and innovation rather than manual, time-consuming tasks. With the development of the Amperia™ system, Abselion has succeeded in creating a compact, affordable product that can fit on any laboratory bench, making advanced biopharmaceutical research accessible to a broader audience.
Over the years, Abselion has meticulously designed, built, and tested the Amperia™ system, and its introduction marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to revolutionize protein research.
Implications and Future Prospects
The introduction of the Amperia™ system by the University of Manchester’s COEBP represents a significant advancement in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. By streamlining processes and reducing delays, the platform not only enhances productivity but also accelerates the pace of research and development in the field.
As the biopharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, innovations like the Amperia™ system are crucial in meeting the growing demand for efficient and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. The success of this platform could pave the way for further advancements, potentially transforming the landscape of biopharmaceutical research and production.
Looking ahead, the continued collaboration between academic institutions and industry leaders will be vital in driving innovation and ensuring that cutting-edge technologies are accessible to researchers worldwide. The University of Manchester’s COEBP, in partnership with Abselion, is poised to play a leading role in this ongoing transformation.
