Akadeum Advances Next Generation Cell Isolation Technology

Updated on Aug 17, 2023 Share

We have successfully demonstrated use of microbubbles for isolation of human T-cells and mouse B-cells. As a result, we are running a closed beta testing program with key thought leaders in immunology, cancer, and stem cell research.

In order to examine circulating tumor cells for research or medical care, cancer specialists must first sift through tremendous numbers of normal cells. It is common for normal cells to outnumber cancer cells in patient blood samples by a billion to one. Although this is challenging, isolating circulating tumor cells has the potential to improve current cancer diagnostic and treatment response monitoring tools.

It is quite remarkable to see that microbubbles—a technology that does not require magnets or columns—can provide such high purity in such a simple process. We are excited to be putting this faster, easier product into users’ hands.

This development and user testing was one of the goals of Akadeum’s most recent round of financing. The round was closed in 2017 with a syndication of $1.7 M that included Silicon Valley firms like Agilent Technologies, Genoa Ventures (previously 5 Prime Ventures), BioInfleXion Point, and eLab Ventures. Other investors included University of Michigan’s MINTS (Michigan Invests in New Technology Startups), Detroit Innovate Fund (part of Invest Detroit), and local angel investors.

In the midst of these lead products, we are also developing a suite of products that use our award-winning microbubble technology to separate cells, proteins, nucleic acids, and food pathogens. These products work by capturing cells and then gently floating them to a fluid surface where they can be easily extracted. This allows for entire separations to be performed within a tube or well plate, and without a magnet—a significant simplification over existing approaches.

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