Early stage support technologies

VEZICS: Highly efficient, scalable chromatography platform for high-quality exosome isolation

SME Instrument Phase I winner project

Summary:

Despite the enormous interest in the role of exosomes in cancer and other diseases, and their use as biomarkers for diagnosis and as therapeutical tools, there is no consensus on reliable protocols for their isolation. This constitutes probably the greatest barrier in realising exosomes’ full potential. Recently, more and more laboratories are starting to work with size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for exosome isolation. However, despite all its advantages, currently available SEC technology is not optimised for this purpose. We are developing a novel platform for exosome isolation based on SEC. Capitalising on very promising research results, the Vezics platform intends to offer all the advantages of SEC, while eliminating its disadvantages with regards to exosome isolation. As high quality isolation of exosomes is a prerequisite for all exosome applications, we expect our development to have a considerable positive impact across the entire spectrum; be it research, diagnostic or therapeutic use of exosomes. This is a high risk / high reward project targeting a yet undeveloped market with extremely high growth potential.

Scientific background:

We have shown that exosomes can be obtained by SEC with qualities and quantities sufficient for analytical investigation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26690353.

Planned project duration:

•    4 months up to Feasibility Study
•    18 months up to Minimum Viable Product