Indee Labs: Hydropore™

The design challenge focused on addressing the prohibitive costs, lengthy development times, and compromised cell viability associated with traditional gene therapy delivery methods, notably viral transduction and electroporation. The project aimed to harness Indee Labs’ proprietary MEMs chip technology to construct a scalable, cost-effective system capable of preserving cell function and enhancing usability. The challenge also included developing the research-use-only bench-top device in a regulatory-ready manner. The device is currently capable of processing millions of cells, representing a significant advance towards the goal of processing billions of cells. This system seeks to reduce the bottleneck in gene therapy manufacturing, facilitating a quicker pathway from discovery to clinical use.

Hydropore™ employs microfluidic vortex shedding technology for efficient delivery of gene-editing complexes to immune cells, overcoming traditional delivery challenges. Collaborating with D+I, the focus was on integrating proprietary Indee Labs MEMs chip technology and developing a product format that allows for efficient processing of materials in a fully integrated, easy to use unit. The project involved electromechanical optimisation, the development of a robust electronics system able to cope with a high variation in applied power, allowing the system to be optimised and fine tune, miniaturisation of internal components, and optimisation of the system’s footprint and usability features. Initiated in 2018 and developed through a regulatory-ready process, the design journey included extensive prototyping and researcher user testing to integrate this technology into a user-friendly bench-top unit. Hydropore™ can process millions of cells simultaneously, offering a scalable solution for rapid gene therapy research and future scaled manufacturing applications.

Hydropore™ accelerates the discovery, development, and delivery of cell therapies, impacting researchers by enabling faster experimentation and identification of potential new treatments. For companies, it reduces barriers to entry and costs, facilitating broader participation in gene therapy production. Hydropore™ bypasses traditional delivery challenges, offering a scalable solution that enhances cell viability. Users, particularly patients, benefit from quicker access to advanced, potentially more effective therapies. By improving both the efficiency and accessibility of cell therapy research and production, Hydropore™ represents a transformative advancement in making life-saving treatments for serious diseases such as cancer and graft-versus-host disease.

Microfluidic Vortex Shedding (µVS) Technology: Utilises micro-scale turbulence to gently permeabilize cell membranes, enabling efficient intracellular delivery of gene-editing tools without compromising cell viability. Proprietary MEMs Chip: Central to Hydropore™, this micro-electro-mechanical system allows for precise control and scalability of the gene delivery process. Compact Bench-Top Unit: Designed for ease of use in research settings, integrating advanced technology into a small footprint that fits easily in laboratory environments. Customizable Experimental Parameters: Provides researchers the flexibility to adjust electric field forces, input pressures, and other variables to refine gene transfection processes. Integration with Existing Workflows: Engineered to seamlessly fit into current research, clinical, and commercial workflows, enhancing productivity without the need for extensive reconfiguration. High Throughput Capability: Each device can process over 50 million cells per minute, catering to both research and large-scale commercial needs. Compliance and Standards: Developed in an ISO compliant manner, and all materials in the flow path are medical-grade or USP Class VI implantable-grade, ensuring that all design and manufacturing processes meet medical and safety requirements.