Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LUMABS (Therapeutic antibody drug monitoring using bioluminescent sensors proteins and a smartphone)
Berichtszeitraum: 2017-06-01 bis 2018-11-30
An important step for translation into a point-of-care test is the development of low-cost, simple to use, but still reliable analytical devices. Together with the group of Prof. Daniel Citterio (Keio University, Yokohama, Japan) we developed a prototype of a paper-based device for use with BRET sensors such as LUMABS, allowing the detection of 3 different antibodies in whole blood (Tenda et al (2018) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 57, 15369). The devices use LUMABS sensing proteins integrated into vertically assembled layers of functionalized paper, and their design enables sample volume independent and fully reagent-free operation, including on device blood plasma separation. User operation is limited to the application of a single drop (20–30 µL) of sample (serum, whole blood) and the acquisition of a photograph 20 min after sample introduction, with no requirement for precise pipetting, liquid handling, or analytical equipment except for a camera. This work was published as a Very Important Paper (VIP) in Angewandte Chemie and a press release on this work received a lot of media attention, including articles in national and international newspapers (Eindhovens Dagblad, De Volkskrant, De Morgen, National Geographic) and several radio stations. Our work was also chosen to feature as an example of “Drivers of Change” research at the Dutch Design Week (DDW) exhibition, attracting over 80,000 visitors.
During the project we have had discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including small and large diagnostic companies, clinical pharmacologists and fellow academic colleagues. Based on these discussions, we concluded that the best way to ensure translation of the LUMABS technology to the market, is to start a spin-of company, which could then act as a partner for other companies. We developed a strategy to start a spin-of company in the 2nd half of 2019. This strategy involves the application of specific grants available from the national and regional governments and a further discussion with clinicians and other stakeholders to further define the best application area. We also further strengthened our IP portfolio during the granting period. Together with our Japanese collaborators we filed a joint patent application on the paper-based devices for bioluminescent detection of biomarkers using luminescent sensing proteins and we applied for a provisional protection on the new platform of red-blue ratiometric bioluminescent sensor proteins.