Innovation

FloDesign Sonics’ product uses the patented and concept-proved science of 3D acoustic sine wave designed “to capture, separate, and manipulate particles or cells in a fluid” (fdsonics.com). The current method in the industry is performed by either using consumable filters that need to be flushed or replaced, or by using complex centrifuges, which require careful cleaning between every use. FloDesign Sonics’ innovation is so powerful that it can be used to sort and separate particles of different sizes, density and compressibility in one single pass, unlike traditional methods. This process is a no-pressure, no-shear, solid state approach to particle removal from fluid dispersions.

The product is being used in Biopharming with the advantages of increased efficiency, reduced processing energy, reduced water consumption and improved capability, especially on smaller particles, which all dramatically reduces production costs as compared to traditional filtering and centrifuge methods. This platform has the potential for a wide array of uses. The potential in Biopharming is to reduce production costs of medicine, which can allow for needed cures that were previously too costly.

“I always use the analogy of penicillin (...) People forget that too, they look at it and go, ‘well that’s way too expensive, that’s never going to work.’ The first batches of penicillin probably cost a million dollars per patient. You’ve got to look at it from a manufacturing standpoint and potential for what it’s going to be able to do. So we’re in the throws of doing that right now and it’s amazingly complicated. “— Tom Kennedy

Inspiration

To understand the inspiration for this innovation, you have to realize the staff specialize in various sciences but share a common need as explained by Tom Kennedy, “The idea, mission, and motivation are to do well by doing good. We want our company to flourish by doing good things.” To accomplish these ideals, the company set out to use their unique talent to create a product that can do good things and fund the company’s research. This innovation started with a government-funded project to solve the problem of removing anthrax from a water supply without traditionally unreliable mechanical filtration systems. This patriotic project was able to prove the innovation concept. The company then searched for other applications for this technology and recognized that their innovation could help the biopharmaceutical industry. Today, "FDS goal is driven to provide the cell and gene therapy industry with high-performance process tools that are modular, automated and cost-effective, to successfully bring life-changing therapeutics to market" (fdsonics.com).

Overall impact

This idea and system has the potential to reduce the costs of known medical treatments, thus increasing the possibility of these treatments being more readily available. Tom said this innovation is, “a whole new way of treating cancer.”

Business benefit

This product has multiple potential applications but will require customization, which FloDesign Sonics has the expertise to provide. This technology will be the focus of many product applications for FloDesign Sonics. There has been success in taking the idea from an idea on a whiteboard to actual prototypes. Two companies have already been approved for these new therapies. This revolutionary technology for cell clarification and perfusion of therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies has been exclusively licensed to Pall Life Sciences for commercialization and launched in April 2016. The next step is commercializing with major pharmaceutical companies.

Social and environmental benefit

In 10 to 20 years, this innovation can solve a lot of problems and bring new cancer treatments to the market. According to Tom, this is a completely scalable innovation. The company is currently figuring out the best way to do so. This idea has the potential to reduce the costs of known medical treatments, thus increasing the possibility of these treatments being more readily available.

Interview

Tom Kennedy, Chief Innovation Officer