InSphero Introduces Akura™ Flow Microphysiological System at SLAS2018
The global leader in 3D cell culture technology to deliver standardized 3D models in an advanced microfluidic format ideal for organ-on-a-chip applications.
Schlieren, Switzerland - February 8, 2018 - InSphero AG, the leading supplier of advanced yet easy-to-use 3D cell culture-based solutions for drug discovery and development, previewed its new Akura™ Flow Microphysiological System (MPS) at the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) 2018 Conference, February 3-7 in San Diego, CA. Akura™ Flow was one of the top 10 finalists competing for coveted SLAS Innovation Award.
Engineered exclusively for use with InSphero’s portfolio of standardized 3D microtissues, Akura™ Flow is a highly flexible platform that provides experimental continuity between single- and multi-tissue testing applications, enabling seamless integration and optimal utilization of in vitro models. It is specifically designed to enable users of InSphero microtissues and services to:
- Improve tissue-specific in vitro functionality in optimized microtissue flow chambers and interconnecting microchannels for controlled dynamic flow, providing efficient nutrient and oxygen supply while enabling paracrine/endocrine intertissue communication.
- Increase physiological complexity while maintaining operational simplicity in an automation-compatible, tubeless, tilting-based medium perfusion system that interconnects InSphero 3D InSight™ assay-ready models.
- Simplify reliable and parallelized microtissue loading and retrieval with a unique SureXchange™ funnel design that facilitates media sampling and exchange in a plate format that conforms to Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS) standards and is compatible with state-of-the-art high content imaging and automated liquid handling systems.
- Eliminate compound absorption using a PDMS-free, full-polystyrene platform and our proven long-term stable ULA coating.
The Akura™ Flow system can be configured to use any combination of our 3D InSight™ microtissue models for a broad range of preclinical applications, including low clearance prediction assays, bioactivation of prodrugs, metabolic disease modeling, and integration of metabolic competence. InSphero is currently collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to develop custom MPS solutions and is actively seeking development partners to help test additional applications.
"InSphero has spent nearly a decade developing core enabling 3D technology, microtissue production processes, and quality standards that set the bar for assay-ready in vitro models and services in the pharmaceutical industry," said Dr. Jan Lichtenberg, InSphero Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder. "With Akura™ Flow, we provide a powerful organ-on-a-chip solution that transcends many of the current limitations of static cell culture systems and animal models and will better reflect systemic in vivo biology at earlier stages in drug discovery and development."
