Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on solutions for the engineering sector. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we want to share our insights with you. This time, we are taking a look at 5 promising Lab-on-a-Chip startups.
Heat Map: 5 Top Lab-On-A-Chip Startups
For our 5 top picks, we used a data-driven startup scouting approach to identify the most relevant solutions globally. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 interesting examples out of 90 relevant solutions. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different
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eNuvio – Micro-Fabrication For Life Science Research
Lab-on-a-Chip is gaining popularity due to its high cost-to-performance ratio and the potential of equipping devices with more features in a smaller form factor. Simultaneous advances in biotechnology, genetic engineering, genomics and in other life science areas have opened the door for tiny devices to provide users with a sophisticated analysis of their health. Innovations in the field of life sciences show accelerated performance and lower costs mainly because of Lab-on-a-Chip technology.
Canadian startup eNuvio develops a patent-pending production process to create new equipment for life science research purposes, using Lab-on-a-Chip technology. Using several technologies like electrophysiology recording systems to 3D culture devices, they build infrastructure and patent-pending micro-fabrication methodology to produce an array of micro-fabricated products. The products increase experimental data output, reduce waste and minimize the requirement for technical expertise or lengthy training processes.
Diana – In-Vitro Diabetes Diagnostics
When a person requires medical procedures, they have to approach a clinic or laboratory for their samples to be taken and analyzed using large and expensive equipment. Also, it often takes a relatively long time to receive the results. Advances in lab on chip technologies aim to solve these challenges by making laboratory functions portable and fully functional in a miniaturized form.
Italian startup Dianax works on mobile in-vitro diagnostics devices based on Lab-on-a-Chip technology. Their solutions use a single drop of the user’s blood to provide them with easy diabetes tests for HbA1c, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin levels. This enables the user to comfortably get medical tests done at their home rather than at a laboratory or a clinic.
BiomimiX – Organ-On-A-Chip Technology
To be able to understand a disease, and to test the effectiveness of their treatments, an in-vitro process needs to be performed. In-vitro testing cannot simulate some of the conditions that are present in real-world circumstances such as pressure and movement. Lab-on-a-Chip startups and emerging companies create solutions that better simulate human body functions to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases.
Italian startup BiomimiX builds predictive models of human organs and pathologies in a novel method to test new drugs. By integrating 3D cell culture and mechanical stimulation, they create beating organs-on-chips that are reliable and responsive. They also offer affordable pre-clinical models for screening drug benefit and safety. BiomimiX’ organ on a chip portfolio comprises of uBeat, a human heart-on-chip, and uKnee, a model of the human osteoarthritic joint.
FLUID-SCREEN – Contamination Detection In Fluids
Water is a basic human necessity for survival. Given the deteriorating nature of water, a considerable amount of time and energy is spent on water purification and treatment. Industry 4.0 companies perform stringent checks on the quality of their products that come in contact with water. Lab-on-a-Chip technology allows for easy detection of harmful bacteria and contaminated water sources.
The US-based startup FLUID-SCREEN develops bacterial screening technology in fluids. Their solution uses patented Lab-on-a-Chip technology to detect microorganisms in water within a significantly shorter time compared to traditional testing methods. The startup’s technology detects contamination across various fluids like microbiomes, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, water, and quality assurance.
Skyphos – 3D Printed Lab-On-A-Chip
Creating Lab-on-a-Chip technology is relatively time-consuming and expensive due to the precision required in the manufacturing process. Since such production processes are usually conducted with semiconductors for non-medical applications, it will take more time to optimize them for producing Lab-on-a-Chip technology. Startups are working to develop faster and more efficient ways of advancing this technology using additive manufacturing techniques.
The US-based startup Skyphos is a Lab-on-a-Chip manufacturer developing patented 3D printing technology to replace the existing lithography-based production process. This method is powered by direct laser printing (DLP) technology and UV-light filters to cure resins. Afterward, these resins are combined with Skyphos’ patent-pending system to provide precise products facilitating an agile product development cycle.
What About The Other 85 Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence for your Proof of Concept (PoC), partnership, or investment targets. The 5 Lab-on-a-Chip startups showcased above are promising examples out of 90 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria and collaboration strategy, get in touch.
