DropXcell utilizes droplet microfluidics to screen millions of antibodies per day for functional activity. This high-throughput platform enables researchers to test large compound libraries, including multispecifics and ADCs, for true function rather than just binding. The service accelerates drug development timelines by identifying more functional candidates faster and more cost-effectively.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Traditional antibody discovery workflows often focus on binding affinity rather than functional activity, leading to a higher rate of attrition in later-stage drug development. This reliance on binding assays limits the number of candidates screened and can result in the selection of molecules that do not exhibit the desired therapeutic effect.
Solution
DropXcell provides a high-throughput droplet microfluidics platform designed to screen millions of antibodies for functional activity. The Xcell Drop system enables researchers to test a significantly larger pool of drug candidates for their intended biological function, not just their ability to bind to a target. This approach accelerates the identification of potent antibody therapeutics by derisking development programs early in the discovery process. By increasing the scale and functional focus of screening, DropXcell aims to reduce the time and resources required to advance promising antibody candidates.
Target Audience
The primary customers are biopharmaceutical companies and academic research institutions engaged in antibody-based drug discovery, particularly those developing multispecific antibodies or ADCs.
Features
- Droplet microfluidics platform for high-throughput screening of millions of antibodies per day.
- Focus on functional screening to identify antibodies with desired therapeutic activity, beyond simple binding.
- Double emulsion technology for encapsulating cells and reagents within droplets.
- Applicable to complex modalities such as multispecific antibodies and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs).
- Accelerates drug discovery by testing over 10,000 times more drug candidates compared to conventional methods.
- Potential to save up to 6 months per drug program through efficient candidate selection.