Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HYPERCELL (Magnetic Resonance at the Scale of a Cell)
Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-03-31
The HyperCell project aims to enable metabolic profiling of cells. To do this, we combine two revolutionary technologies from European scale-ups; namely, NVision's hyperpolarization platform and Annaida's micro magnetic resonance device. The former allows magnetic resonance imaging to be sensitive to metabolites by intensely magnifying their signal, and the latter reduces the sensing volume required in standard magnetic resonance imaging so that it is applicable at a cellular scale. By combining these two approaches, HyperCell unlocks the possibility to perform metabolic analysis on the cell level in a way that is entirely non-invasive for patient applications. The fast and comparatively straightforward procedure leaves room for innovation in several sub-fields of research and clinical processes. One key target application is improved efficacy of in vitro fertilization (IVF). HyperCell's technology would allow for individual embryos to be screened for viability based on their metabolism and subsequently selected to improve the success rate of IVF. Applications also extend to the biotech industry, where preclinical screening of drug candidates could be significantly optimized through metabolic assessment of treatment response. Though not in the immediate scope of project work, this breakthrough could also allow for novel investigations into cellular mechanisms and dysfunctions, opening doors for new discoveries in several medical branches.
The initial phase of the HyperCell project focused on establishing the groundwork for integrating hyperpolarized metabolites with microscale Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology, targeting metabolic analysis of small-volume samples like single cells and embryos. NVision developed and carried out a controlled dilution method in order to adapt its existing hyperpolarized pyruvate solution to a concentration in which cells and embryos would be viable. Additionally, the team expanded its existing hyperpolarization capabilities beyond pyruvate to α-ketoglutarate, another sugar that could be employed for metabolic sensing. Annaida developed advanced micro-NMR sensor prototypes suitable for volumes down to 1 nL. They sensor head was redesigned for successful integration into standard benchtop NMR systems, including an easy micro-sample loading mechanism. This effectively demonstrated usability and proved the ability to increase sensitivity and decrease the needed sample volume compared to standard benchtop NMR capabilities. To prepare for the eventual introduction of hyperpolarized metabolites into these systems, NVision developed a reliable dual-syringe pump syringe prototype. This will allow for controlled injection of the metabolites as well as precise, custom adaptations to the system to include additional cell-sustaining nutrients if needed. An initial market analysis was also performed to identify key stakeholders, risks and opportunities, potential areas of impact, and to develop a tech to market plan. This tech to market plan was developed to ensure that the new technology is properly introduced to achieve its highest potential impact.
Thus far, both collaborating companies individually have already made developments whose capabilities reach far beyond the state of the art. NVision's polarizers are faster, more robust, and easier to use than any previously available technology creating hyperpolarized metabolites. Annaida's sensors provide unparalleled sensitivity, easy integration with standard NMR machines, and customization options that were otherwise unavailable in the market. Compared to other companies' small-scale NMR probes, Annaida's solution allows for analysis of samples approximately 10 times smaller. The efforts already done to work towards combining these two technologies demonstrate the viability of the original development plan. The initial market analysis confirmed the opportunities available for the Hypercell platform to create value in several spaces, and the technological developments accomplished thus far confirmed that delivering the technology to the market will be feasible. These advancements in sensor integration and micro-scale polarization were completed according to the initial evolutionary framework for the project. Both teams collaborating on HyperCell are confident that continuation of the planned activities in this framework will lead to the foreseen impact: unprecedented metabolic analysis capabilities at the cellular level.