CASE STUDIES

MyCartis: Evalution® Multiplex Biomarker Analysis

A revolutionary biomarker analysis platform realizing next-generation personalized healthcare.

Client: MyCartis

Product: Evalution®

Expertise Used

Fluidics, Optics, Motion, Software Development, Industrial Design, Thermal Control & Analysis, Contract Manufacturing

Realizing Next-Generation Personalized Healthcare

European-based company MyCartis developed its proprietary Dynamic Multi-Analyte Technology (DMAT®). DMAT® is an advanced and unique technology to deliver superior data quality and rapid results for analyzing multiple protein and nucleic acid-based biomarkers. To close the gap between the user requirements of their target groups and its unique technology, MyCartis invited Invetech to develop a solution around its technology that would be tailored to the clinical research and pharmaceutical markets.

The result of this partnership is the Evalution®, a multiplex diagnostic platform that provides an integrated reaction and detection environment and simultaneous analysis of large numbers of analytes per assay. The core technology surrounds the imaging and fluorescence reading of 40-micron binary-coded silicon microparticles.

Thousands of different digital codes can be generated and the platform provides fast and highly sensitive detection of a broad range of biomarkers. The flexibility and simplicity of the workflow enables researchers to streamline procedures for biomarker verification and validation, and to accelerate the translation of novel content to clinical practice.

“At every stage in the development process, our relationship with Invetech has been marked by a high level of collaboration as well as responsiveness and flexibility to meet the needs of MyCartis.”

Simon Morling

MyCartis

A Close Collaboration

Collaboration was key to the success of Evalution®. We worked very closely with MyCartis as they developed the core technology for the instrument and we handled the instrument design, prototyping, testing and interface definition. Close collaboration also took place between our teams, the client and a microfluidics design partner to ensure trouble-free interfacing between the instrument and the microfluidic cartridge.

During the system integration phases of the project, the Invetech team spent time in Belgium with the MyCartis team to ensure the project goals were met. Additionally, to minimize risk throughout the project, we collaborated on a joint risk watch list and held regular risk watch meetings throughout the development process.

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Flexible Processes for Ideal Outcomes

Being a startup with fluctuating demands, MyCartis needed a flexible development partner. During the system definition phase, our flexible processes and open communication created a space for MyCartis to explore ways to give the most promising markets access to their technology first. We adapted our plans and activities to accommodate their processes and direction shifts while implementing all elements of the design including mechanical, fluidics, optics and software. Precision motion components sourced through our Dover Motion division were also integral to the instrument design.

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Using Our Experience to Solve New Challenges

The high-performance requirements of the instrument’s sensitivity and thermal precision created barriers to overcome during the design lifecycle. The ability to integrate an epifluorescence microscope with accurate thermal control into a smaller footprint was an overarching challenge for the project. We met this challenge through the application of our structured ideation and problem-solving processes.

Transparency for Better Decision Making

Using the Fortive Business System (FBS) Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) tools enabled us identify opportunities to reduce the bill of materials as well as labor and design process costs of the instrument. This was done by characterizing the potential changes in terms of cost impact, technical risk and ease of implementation. These trade-offs were regularly discussed with the client during development so that educated and joint decisions could be made accordingly.

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