Reference Certification and Commercialisation of “Universal” Mass Spectrometry Calibration Standards

Project Information

SpheriCal

Grant agreement ID: 867224

DOI

10.3030/867224

Project closed

EC signature date 6 May 2019

Start date 1 June 2019

End date 30 November 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

POLYMER FACTORY SWEDEN AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SpheriCal (Reference Certification and Commercialisation of “Universal” Mass Spectrometry Calibration Standards)

Reporting period: 2019-06-01 to 2019-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an established analytical technique for the analysis of biomolecules, organic molecules, and synthetic polymers. Because of the high sensitivity and accuracy of MS methods, it has become a powerful tool for testing in various industries. Its value lies in its ability to measure and identify specific species present in complex analytes such as cell cultures, through accurate measurement of the absolute mass of each species.

It is required for MS platforms to be calibrated with a set of known standards to provide accurate and meaningful data. However, there are several shortcomings with existing SoA calibrants, such as short shelf life, uneven mass range, poor resolution at high mass range and time consuming sample preparation. Our SpheriCal® standards are designed from the ground up to exhibit none of these shortcomings, providing ideal calibration across the MS field, allowing greater accuracy for more users and greater confidence in MS data reported worldwide.

The H2020 SME-Instrument feasibility study aimed to facilitate the commercialisation of our patented technology by evaluating and adapting our proposed business plan. A series of actions were carried out to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of our position in the market, and to identify the ideal roadmap to maximize impact in the market with full commercialization.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Market evaluation was performed to gain a clear understanding of the MS analytical standards market at large, via primary research through user surveys, interviews and user testing. Using the information collected in our user surveys and product testing, we sought to validate both that the SpheriCal® products’ USPs were in-line with customer needs and that the product performance was well received by end users.

The information gathered was also used to inform our future decision making in terms of the development of further products. The insight into user needs for reference materials led us to develop a roadmap and timeframe to full accreditation with relevant ISO/IEC standards, with accreditation partners and technical consultants identified.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The information generated by our market evaluation and technical analysis informed the improvement of our initial business model and allowed us to craft a feasible work plan for the full commercialization of the SpheriCal® technology with key objectives for each stage.

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