Project description
A new mass spectrometry system for the quantification of biological drugs
Emerging therapies rely on macromolecules such as proteins and RNA which are much larger than traditional drugs. As a result, conventional mass spectrometry, which constitutes the primary tool for quantitative measurement in the pharmaceutical industry, is ineffective. To overcome this issue, the EU-funded MS-INFINITE project aims to commercialise a system that offers large analyte mass quantification, with 100 % detection efficiency, regardless of molecular mass. The system also enables non-specialists to reproducibly prepare clinical and pharmaceutical material for measurement through an automated unit. Its implementation is expected to boost the development of pioneering therapeutic solutions in medicine.
Objective
Modern medicine is evolving. Traditional drugs are small molecules with masses under 1 kDa. Emerging therapies increasingly rely on macromolecules 100 times this size: proteins, nanoparticles, viruses etc. Mass spectrometry is the primary tool for quantitative measurement in the pharmaceutical industry, generating revenues of €1.1Bn in 2015, but is failing to meet new demands. Conventional MS detectors become ineffective at 50 kDa making them incompatible with the emerging landscapes of biotechnology and nanomedicine.
With a combined 70 years’ experience in analytical instrumentation, we plan to commercialise MS-INFINITE, our solution for large analyte mass quantification. MS-INFINITE is a multicomponent system, comprising a cryodetector MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer allowing 100% detection efficiency, regardless of molecular mass. MS-INFINITE also offers a pioneering calibration method, allowing concentration of specific constituents of large analytes to be quantitatively determined by MS for the first time (patent submitted). Through a unique business model, MS-INFINITE will generate revenue by selling an Automated Sample Preparation (ASP) unit to end-users, allowing non-specialists to reproducibly prepare clinical and pharmaceutical material for measurement.
The market launch of MS-INFINITE’s ASP unit (2022) will bring the 1st revenues into our company, generating 18 new jobs, a cumulative profit of €11M, and a 5-years ROI of 5. Despite this, we believe our impact will be far more significant than company growth: MS-INFINITE has the potential to become the standard tool for quantification of analytes too heavy for existing mass spectrometers. With experts estimating that over 100 high molecular weight therapies will enter phase II or III clinical trials in 2020, our innovation will facilitate the development of pioneering advances in biotechnology and nanomedicine, allowing research to advance towards life-saving cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s and arthritis.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology nanomedicine
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2000 NEUCHATEL
Switzerland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.