Sphere Fluidics

Sphere Fluidics is an Cambridge-based Life Sciences Research and Development company specializing in developing novel tools for biopharmaceutical discovery and development, cell therapy engineering, analysis and isolation.[1] Sphere Fluidics has been named one of the UK's top 50 disruptive SMEs by Real Business in 2015.[2]

Sphere Fluidics
Private
IndustryResearch and Development
FoundedFebruary 24, 2010 (2010-02-24)
FounderDr. Frank. F. Craig, Professor Wilhelm Huck, Professor Chris Abell and Dr. Maher Khaled
Headquarters
Cambridge
,
United Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide
Servicesbiochemical and anti-micobial screening, synthetic biology, genome editing of single cells.

History

Sphere Fluidics Limited was originally established in 2010, by two chemistry professors of Cambridge University, Professor Chris Abell[3] and Professor Wilhelm Huck along with Dr. Frank F. Craig, an entrepreneur, and Dr. Maher Khaled, a Cambridge University Enterprise.[4]

In 2013, Sphere Fluidics spun out of Cambridge University to a new research facility in Babraham Research Campus. In 2013, Sphere Fluidics won an award for academic spin-outs at the ACES awards.[5][6]

Overview

Sphere Fluidics operates in various markets including biopharmaceutical discovery and development, anti-microbial screening, synthetic biology and genome editing of single cells. [1]

In January 2017, Sphere Fluidics launched an e-commerce platform which had microfluidic products, research instrument accessories, and microfluidic biochips, in its product line.[7][8]

In July 2017, Sphere Fluidics won “Best Investment in Life Sciences” Award, in the event held by the UK Business Angels Association.[9][10]

Funding

Sphere Fluidics had raised £11 million as of 2017, from investors namely, 24 Haymarket,[11] Amadeus Capital Partners, Greenwood Way Capital, University of Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge, Parkwalk Advisors, Providence Investment Company, London Business Angels,[12] Envestors, Angels5K, Cambridge Angels, Q-Ventures and a Japanese corporate investor.[13][14]

Cyto-Mine Technology

Cyto-Mine Technology is one of the patented products of Sphere Fluidics.[15]

Cyto-Mine technology is the integrated device that is able to automatically perform single cell analysis, sorting, imaging and dispensing into individual wells of microtitre plates in a single compact system.[13] Based on the research made by Professors Chris Abell and Wilhelm Huck, this biochip system can automatically process millions to billions of miniaturised tests in tiny picodroplets.[16]

According to the scientists at Sphere Fluidics, Cyto-Mine can perform millions of single-cell assays daily, offering up to a 100-fold improvement over conventional techniques, at lower capital and operational cost. [13]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Sphere Fluidics Raises $7 Million for Development Of Cyto-Mine Single Cell Analysis System - SynBioBeta". synbiobeta.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  2. site., Who made this. "Sphere Fluidics named one of Britain's most disruptive businesses - Cambridge Enterprise" (in en-GB). Cambridge Enterprise. https://www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk/news/sphere-fluidics-named-one-of-britains-most-disruptive-businesses/. Retrieved 2017-09-13. 
  3. "From farm to fame, Cambridge's 'cereal' life science entrepreneur | Business Weekly | Technology News | Business news | Cambridge and the East of England". www.businessweekly.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  4. "Sphere Fluidics: Single cell analysis has never looked so disruptive - Real Business" (in en-US). Real Business. 2015-03-04. http://realbusiness.co.uk/tech-and-innovation/2015/03/04/sphere-fluidics-single-cell-analysis-has-never-looked-so-disruptive/. Retrieved 2017-09-13. 
  5. site., Who made this. "Sphere Fluidics wins award for academic spin-outs - Cambridge Enterprise" (in en-GB). Cambridge Enterprise. https://www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk/news/sphere-fluidics-wins-award-for-academic-spin-outs/. Retrieved 2017-09-13. 
  6. "Sphere Fluidics Wins Award for Academic Spin-Outs Labmate Online". www.labmate-online.com. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  7. Dealmakers, BioPharma (2017-01-24). "Sphere Fluidics Launches E-commerce Site Allowing Researchers Rapid Access to Specialist Microfluidic Products" (in en-GB). BioPharma Dealmakers. https://biopharmadealmakers.nature.com/users/7626-sphere-fluidics/posts/14600-ssphere-fluidics-launches-e-commerce-site-allowing-researchers-rapid-access-to-specialist-microfluidic-product. Retrieved 2017-09-13. [dead link]
  8. "Sphere Fluidics Launches E-commerce Site Allowing Researchers Rapid Access to Specialist Microfluidic Products - Scientific Technology News" (in en-US). Scientific Technology News. 2017-01-24. https://www.scientifictechnologynews.com/sphere-fluidics-launches-e-commerce-site-allowing-researchers-rapid-access-specialist-microfluidic-products/. Retrieved 2017-09-13. 
  9. "Angels on the side of Cambridge trio | Business Weekly | Technology News | Business news | Cambridge and the East of England". www.businessweekly.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-07-17. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  10. "UK Angel Investment Awards: Powervault Wins Best Angel Crowdfunding Investment, Digital Fineprint Wins Best Fintech Investment | Crowdfund Insider" (in en-US). Crowdfund Insider. 2017-07-08. https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2017/07/119004-uk-angel-investment-awards-powervault-wins-best-angel-crowdfunding-investment-digital-fineprint-wins-best-fintech-investment/. Retrieved 2017-09-13. 
  11. "Investment flows towards Sphere Fluidics · Articles · Global University Venturing". www.globaluniversityventuring.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  12. "London Business Angels investment helps Sphere Fluidics close £1.6m early stage funding round" (in en-GB). Business Matters. 2013-03-10. http://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/get-funded/success-stories/london-business-angels-investment-helps-sphere-fluidics-close-1-6m-early-stage-funding-round/. Retrieved 2017-09-13. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Sphere Fluidics: biotherapeutics device attracts $7m investment - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  14. "Sphere Fluidics successfully closes a £1.6 million Series A investment round". Cambridge Network. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  15. "Sphere Fluidics: Ramping up Growth to Find the "One in a Billion"! | Evaluate". www.evaluategroup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-13.[dead link]
  16. site., Who made this. "Sphere Fluidics wins $7 million for development of single cell analysis system - Cambridge Enterprise" (in en-GB). Cambridge Enterprise. https://www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk/news/sphere-fluidics-wins-7-million-for-development-of-single-cell-analysis-system/. Retrieved 2017-09-13.