Microfluidic devices produced by A*STAR’s SIMTech Microfluidics Foundry.
© 2014 A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
Diagnostics, pharmaceutical development and drug delivery require manipulation of microscopic volumes of liquid, and microfluidics is the science of producing devices to do this. In a move that will speed up the growth and development of the microfluidics industry, the A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) has recently sealed three new collaborations with global companies, forming partnerships that will lead to novel and cost-effective microfluidic solutions.
The market for polymer-based microfluidic devices is growing, with its value expected to reach US$2.7 billion by 2018. SIMTech has already demonstrated its commitment to the industry by establishing the SIMTech Microfluidics Foundry (SMF) in 2011.
“The SMF spearheads innovations in microfluidics manufacturing technology and provides design, prototyping and production services for microfluidics development and applications,” says SIMTech’s director of research programmes, Wang Zhiping. “Through various collaborations with industry, SMF nurtures and grows the microfluidics industry by supporting the business and research community.”
The three new collaborations reflect the diversity in SIMTech’s microfluidics expertise. The first collaboration is with specialist manufacturer InziGn, in which SIMTech will transfer manufacturing technology to the company, allowing mass production of microfluidic devices.
“InziGn has 30 years of experience in precision tool making, particularly plastic injection mold fabrication,” says Steven Lau, InziGn director of product development. “This expertise in high-volume and high-quality medical manufacturing is well positioned for mass production of microfluidic devices.” The agreement will allow the SMF to continue supporting the development of novel devices while InziGn manufactures those that are ready to enter mass production for global markets.
The second collaboration sees the licensing of SIMTech microfluidics technology to Singapore-based biotechnology company Austrianova, which encapsulates living cells in microdroplets of nonreactive polymers. Austrianova’s ‘Cell-in-a-Box’ technology allows the isolation, protection, storage and transportation of living cells and has wide-ranging applications from healthcare, to agriculture and environmental protection. Following the agreement, Austrianova will use SIMTech microfluidics-based droplet generation technology to make the cell encapsulation process more efficient.
“SIMTech’s droplet generator is made from a disposable polymer chip,” explains Austrianova CEO Brian Salmons, “meaning that sterilization is not required and the downtime of the manufacturing line is reduced.”
The final agreement initiates a research collaboration between SIMTech and UK-based diagnostics company QuantuMDx. “We are leveraging SIMTech’s microfluidics expertise to develop portable point-of-care assay cartridges for use as part of our handheld molecular diagnostics (MDx) device,” explains QuantuMDx co-founder and chief scientific officer, Jonathon O’Halloran. The assay cartridges being developed will provide microfluidics handling of samples, on-chip sample preparation, polymerase chain reaction capabilities and detection modules.
“The MDx device will be able to diagnose disease and detect drug resistance in less than 15 minutes, for just a few dollars, by the patient’s side,” says O’Halloran. Under the agreement, multiple cartridges will be developed for the universal device to test for diseases such as drug-resistant malaria, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as to perform tumor profiling and companion diagnostics.
“The device will be particularly useful in areas lacking the healthcare infrastructure necessary for traditional laboratories, though the device’s low cost and rapid turnaround times will also benefit developed healthcare systems,” he notes.
About the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
The A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) develops high-value manufacturing technology and human capital to contribute to the competitiveness of Singapore’s industry. It collaborates with multinational and local companies in the precision engineering, electronics, semiconductor, medical technology, aerospace, automotive, marine, oil and gas, logistics and other sectors.
