EF600 freezer is specifically designed for use in human and animal In vitro fertilisation (IVF) applications for the cryopreservation of embryos, stem cells and spermatozoa
Asymptote, a specialist in controlled solidification research and product development, has partnered with Grant Instruments, a manufacturer and supplier of custom and own-brand scientific, life sciences and data acquisition products, to launch the world's first liquid nitrogen and refrigerant free controlled rate freezer.
Asymptote and Grant Instruments have signed a worldwide agreement for Grant to manufacture and market Asymptote's family of controlled rate freezers, the first of which is the EF600 unit.
The EF600 was unveiled in March at Pittcon 2007, Chicago, USA, the world's largest laboratory science conference and exhibition.
The EF600 freezer is specifically designed for use in human and animal In vitro fertilisation (IVF) applications for the cryopreservation of embryos, stem cells and spermatozoa but can also be used for general freezing applications.
The unit uses an electrically-powered Stirling Cycle Cryocooler to freeze cells rather than using liquid nitrogen, this removes the risk of samples being contaminated during freezing and means that the product can be used in sterile environments such as cleanrooms.
"We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with Grant as it provides us with a first class and financially solid manufacturing partner, instant access to a well-trodden global distribution network, and we can leverage their engineering team's considerable thermodynamics expertise," said John Morris, research director at Asymptote.
"Having the right partner is fundamental to the commercial success of our products and gives us credibility in the scientific and medical markets.
"Now when we tell customers that the equipment is being built, maintained and serviced by Grant, they breathe a huge sigh of relief".
Paul Pergande, head of Grant Technologies, the custom design/manufacturing division of Grant Instruments, said: "Asymptote's new controlled rate freezer is an innovative and highly marketable product.
"It is small and easy to operate and has none of the problems associated with handling and storing liquid nitrogen, which makes it suitable for use in a wide range of medical applications whether in the laboratory, in cleanrooms or out in the field.
"We are looking forward to working alongside the team at Asymptote to ensure that its ground breaking technology achieves the commercial success it warrants".
Grant Technologies designs and manufactures custom scientific and industrial equipment to meet its customers' application-specific requirements.
The company specialises in the design and manufacture of equipment for accurately controlling temperature in industrial processes (-100C to +450C), sample handling and preparation, material testing and quality control in the production environment, medical analysis and diagnostic processes, chemical and pharmaceutical evaluation.
Leveraging its 50-year heritage in heating and cooling (thermodynamics), mixing and shaking, data logging and data acquisition, and extensive manufacturing expertise, the company has delivered successful solutions to hundreds of companies across a diverse range of industry sectors.
These include, among others, life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, automotive, industrial, oil and petrochemicals, scientific, military and environmental testing.
Asymptote and Grant Instruments's relationship was established thanks to the free partnering service offered by the East of England Innovation Relay Centre (IRC), which is focused on building effective partnerships for regional technology companies.
The IRC is funded by the East of England Development Agency and the European Commission.
