Cambridge Viscosity has sold a Viscolab 5000 to a biotechnology company specialising in protein micro-RNA therapeutic analysis that is developing medicines targeting various human diseases.
Among the diseases targeted are Hepatitis C and cardiovascular illnesses.
The California-based company is using the micro-sample viscometer to accurately measure polymer solutions to screen out oligonucleotides that have high viscosity when dissolved in water or saline solutions.
Cambridge Viscosity's system was selected for its small sample requirement of 75 microlitres, as well as its accuracy and repeatability.
Development of new classes of high-impact protein medicines, based on microRNA, rely heavily on the ability to deliver these medicines through very fine-gauge needles.
If the concentration of oligonucleotides in either the water or saline is too high (above 200mg/mL), the typical dosing solutions for therapeutic applications, the polymer will not flow through the fine-gauge needles.
Because MicroRNA samples are scarce, take a long time to develop and are very expensive, the small required sample size of the Viscolab 5000 is an important advantage.
