Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science announced the Gibco CTS Detachable Dynabeads (CTS Detachable Dynabeads)*, its next-generation platform of Dynabeads with the first active release mechanism of its kind for clinical trial and commercial manufacturing use.

The active release mechanism of CTS Detachable Dynabeads utilizes a release buffer that helps enable users to actively detach Dynabeads from a target cell at any point during their manufacturing process. As a result, CTS Detachable Dynabeads help drive manufacturing cost savings while delivering high cell purity, yield and viability. These manufacturing benefits can help cell therapy developers get more life-changing treatments to patients faster, especially for those diagnosed with complex diseases such as blood cancers.

CTS Detachable Dynabeads offer process flexibility, compatibility with automation, and scalability through its differentiating active release mechanism. This functionality, for cGMP and clinical use, helps empower users to achieve greater control of their process with the ability to consistently deliver target cells with the desired characteristics for their therapy. Cell recovery, phenotype, and viability for downstream steps within the workflow are also optimized through this platform. These advantages are critical for cell therapy manufacturers who need to scale their manufacturing while maintaining consistent performance as they transition from process development to clinical trials and commercial manufacturing.

The CTS Detachable Dynabeads platform works within Thermo Fisher Scientific’s modular, closed and automated cell therapy manufacturing workflow. In combination with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Gibco Cell Therapy Systems (CTS) portfolio of products, including the Gibco CTS DynaCellect™ Magnetic Separation System, CTS Detachable Dynabeads allow users to shorten their manufacturing workflow by decreasing the time for steps downstream of cell isolation.

“Currently, cell therapies are seen as a last resort for patients in late stages of disease, but we’re committed to helping our customers realize its potential as a first-line treatment,” said Tiffani Manolis, vice president and general manager, cell culture and cell therapy, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Our CTS Detachable Dynabeads platform represents a new generation of cell therapy isolation and activation products that prioritize patient quality and safety while also creating greater workflow control for our customers. These advancements are one step in the process of helping our customers commercialize affordable therapies faster and potentially save more lives.”

The first offering within this platform is the CTS™ Detachable Dynabeads™ CD3/CD28 Kit designed specifically to help manufacturers isolate and actively target T cells in a one-step mechanism. The CTS Detachable Dynabeads CD3/CD28 Kit of isolation and activation reagents will serve both autologous and allogeneic manufacturing processes across multiple cell modalities. The CTS Detachable Dynabeads CD3/CD28 kit is available for purchase now.

Thermo Fisher’s CTS portfolio of products are manufactured according to cGMP, designed to meet applicable cell therapy standards, and include traceability and regulatory documentation to help customers transition from research to clinical trials and commercial production.

Imaging technology company Polarean has partnered with clinical imaging intelligence firm VIDA Diagnostics to expand the capabilities of the former’s xenon 129 MRI platform.

VIDA Diagnostics provides medical imaging software solutions to manage the complexities of digital biomarkers.

Its imaging management platform is said to be a cloud-native artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution to advance standardisation and efficiencies in clinical trial imaging operations.

Under the partnership, both firms will work together to develop solutions that will speed up the clinical and research use of the Polarean xenon 129 MRI platform.

The collaboration between Polarean and VIDA aims to support the integration of xenon 129 MRI workflow into the clinical continuum of care and to develop automated image processing workflows and algorithms.

It will also help establish a clinical trial network for pharma-sponsored drug and device development using standardised xenon 129 MR image acquisition and data-sharing methods.

Polarean CEO Christopher von Jako said: “Polarean continues to cultivate partnerships with entities that enhance our core capabilities.

“We are excited to form this partnership with VIDA, a world-renowned organisation in the field of lung imaging software platform solutions and biomarker development, to capitalise on their complementary expertise.”

The imaging technology firm said that the new services and products will be used to increase access to xenon 129 MRI as a lung imaging service along with the examination of new indications and biomarkers in larger populations with unmet medical needs.

Additionally, by working together, both companies will encourage new research partnerships and expand the opportunities for clients who use lung imaging.

VIDA Diagnostics’ platform has an orchestration engine that makes high-quality imaging biomarkers more available to researchers, clinical trials, and workflows for clinical care. The engine also helps to integrate and improve multimodality clinical algorithms.

VIDA Diagnostics CEO Susan Wood said: “VIDA and Polarean are natural partners. Both companies share a goal of empowering providers with advanced medical imaging solutions to enhance clinical decisions and accelerate bringing new therapies to patients.

“We are excited at the prospect of expanding our imaging platform portfolio through our collaboration with Polarean, thereby introducing pioneering MRI-based lung imaging biomarkers.”

UK-based AI-powered imaging solutions provider Brainomix has teamed up with the TIPAL trial group to run a sub-study to evaluate the performance of its advanced e-Lung platform.

The TIPAL trial is financed by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and is sponsored by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals (NNUH) NHS Foundation Trust.

It is a placebo-controlled 52-week multi-centre study designed to evaluate the impact of lansoprazole on patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

IPF is characterised by a persistent decline in lung function, with a variable disease trajectory.

Lansoprazole is a commonly prescribed medication for indigestion, heartburn and gastroesophageal-reflux-disease (GORD).

The study is expected to enrol 298 patients, who will perform home spirometry tests to measure their forced vital capacity (FVC).

It will compare the daily assessments taken at baseline and 12 months post-randomisation, to analyse the impact of lansoprazole on change in predicted FVC.

TIPAL chief investigator Andrew Wilson said: “It is great to have the chance to incorporate the cutting-edge CT scanning technology developed by Brainomix into the TIPAL study.

“Not only will this venture tell whether lansoprazole improves the scarring detected on CT scans, but it will allow us to compare CT scan abnormalities to home-based lung function tests.”

The UK-based medical software company said that the sub-study will be conducted using its e-Lung platform, in parallel to the TIPAL trial main study.

The e-Lung is an AI-powered image processing module that standardises the assessment of lung fibrosis on high-resolution (HR) CT scans, to accurately identify patients with progressive fibrosis.

A novel imaging biomarker, the Weighted reticulovascular (WRV) score, serves as the core of the e-Lung platform.

WRV quantifies the extent of the lung affected by reticulovascular abnormalities and provides superior prognostic value compared with traditional measures.

The sub-study primarily aims to determine the difference in change in WRV score between treatment with lansoprazole and placebo, said the British medical software company.

Brainomix senior medical director and ILD at Royal Brompton Hospital in London clinical lead Peter George said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with the TIPAL study group and to incorporate our pioneering AI technology into a prospective trial to help assess the efficacy of lansoprazole in IPF patients.

“We are highly motivated by the potential to harness our technology in a way that helps to speed up clinical trials, identify more effective drugs, and improve the lives of IPF patients.”

Mindray, a global leader and developer of healthcare solutions and technologies in ultrasound, patient monitoring, and anesthesia, announced the launch of its TE Air Wireless Handheld Ultrasound, a new imaging solution that improves ultrasound accessibility. This compact, wireless technology enables healthcare professionals to carry comprehensive scanning capabilities in their pockets, adapting to a wide array of clinical scenarios. The TE Air is the industry’s first handheld ultrasound device that can connect to either a mobile device or the touch-based TE X Ultrasound System, expanding its utility and accessibility.

The launch of TE Air builds on Mindray’s dedication to the point of care ultrasound (POCUS) industry and its continued efforts to diversify and introduce revolutionary products to the Emergency Medicine and Critical Care markets. With its compact, wireless design, the TE Air slips conveniently into a pocket, so it’s always with you and ready for use. Its versatility, coupled with flexible charging options, ensures it’s not just mobile but reliably accessible, empowering users to navigate even the most unexpected clinical scenarios with confidence.

“The TE Air is a leap forward in ultrasound technology, offering comprehensive functionality inside or outside the hospital environment,” said Wayne Quinn, President of Mindray North America. “The new 2-in-1 innovative solution empowers clinicians to overcome the traditional constraints of cords and confined spaces giving them access to premium scanning capability when and where they need it.”

The TE Air App, available on iOS, perfectly balances simplicity and efficiency by allowing one-handed operation in any location. It can also seamlessly integrate with hospital information systems to help improve workflow. Furthermore, the app works to onboard patient data management solutions to provide connected patient care.

Revvity, a US-based life sciences and diagnostics company, has expanded its imaging portfolio with the addition of next-generation preclinical imaging technologies to help researchers develop breakthrough discoveries.

The new products include the next-generation IVIS Spectrum 2 and the IVIS SpectrumCT 2 imaging systems, the Quantum GX3 microCT imaging solution, and the Vega preclinical ultrasound system.

The IVIS Spectrum 2 platform enables real-time and non-invasive longitudinal disease tracking, analysis of cell movement, assessment of drug safety, evaluation of treatment efficacy, and exploration of biological processes at the molecular level.

It comes with an advanced camera with eXcelon coating for high sensitivity imaging and a posing station that allows high-throughput imaging and enhanced workflow.

IVIS Spectrum 2 also combines 2D optical and full 3D imaging for simultaneous imaging of up to 10 specimens, Revvity said.

The IVIS SpectrumCT 2 system is said to integrate all the features of the IVIS Spectrum 2 along with integrated, low-dose CT, combining functional and anatomical imaging into a single device for maximum ease and flexibility.

The Quantum GX3 microCT system is said to be a high-resolution structural imaging solution built for enhanced image quality and versatility. It has updated five-micron spatial resolution, step-scanning, active ring reduction, and improved gating.

According to the diagnostics company, the Quantum GX3 has an 8mm to 86mm field of views to image a wide range of specimens from ex vivo biological samples.

The Vega solution is claimed as a hands-free, automated preclinical ultrasound imaging system. It is intended to swiftly provide 2D and 3D images for in vivo ultrasound studies within minutes.

Vega has an automated transducer and widefield imaging to help accelerate non-invasive research and drug development in areas such as oncology, liver, kidney disease, and cardiology.

Revvity life sciences SVP Alan Fletcher said: “In a time when innovative technologies steer medical advancements, we are committed to delivering versatile, high-throughput solutions that enhance preclinical R&D productivity.

“Our growing portfolio equips researchers with robust capabilities to illuminate scientific discoveries and can expedite the journey from discovery to cure.”

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has recently garnered attention among materials science researchers owing to its ability to form two-dimensional nanosheets like graphene. The nanosheets are created by the stacking of S–Mo–S layers interacting via Van der Waals interactions. Additionally, the unique structural, optical, thermal, and electrochemical properties of MoS₂ have opened up multiple research avenues across several fields, including the development of biomolecule sensing and chemical detection platforms, optoelectronics, supercapacitors, and batteries.

Traditionally, carbon nanostructures have been employed as an immobilization platform for DNA. In order to substitute carbon with MoS₂ as an effective electrochemical DNA sensor, the electrical conductivity of MoS₂ needs to be improved considerably. Against this backdrop, Associate Professor Eunah Kang and Mr. Youngjun Kim from the School of Chemical Engineering and Material Science at Chung-Ang University, Korea have recently come up with an elegant solution. The duo has developed an electrochemical DNA biosensor using a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheet composite, which effectively detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, and can serve as an early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

The researcher duo prepared the novel electrode surface for probing DNA chemisorption by enabling chemical conjugation between two functional groups: acyl bonds on the surfaces of functionalized nano-onions and amine groups present on the modified MoS₂ nanosheets. Cyclic voltammetry experiments revealed that a 1:1 composite electrode had an improved rectangular shape compared to that of an MoS₂ nanosheet electrode. “This indicated the amorphous nature of the nano-onions with curved carbon layers that facilitated an enhancement in electronic conductivity compared to MoS₂ nanosheet alone,” highlights Dr. Kang.

Additionally, the duo measured the sensitivity of their novel electrochemical DNA biosensor device towards HPV-16 and HPV-18 by employing differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique in the presence of methylene blue (MB) as a redox indicator. Dr. Kang elaborates: “The DPV current peak was lowered after probe DNA chemisorption and target DNA hybridization. Since the hybridized DNA was double-stranded, it induced less effective MB electrostatic intercalation, resulting in a lower oxidation peak.”

The duo found that, compared to the MoS₂ nanosheet electrode, the nano-onion/MoS₂ nanosheet composite electrode attained higher current peaks, indicating a greater change in the differential peak. This was attributed to an enhanced conductive electron transfer owing to the nano-onion.

Notably, the target DNAs produced from HPV-16 and HPV-18 Siha and Hela cancer cell lines were detected by the proposed sensor effectively and with high specificity. Consequently, MoS₂ nanosheets with improved electrical conductivity facilitated by complexation with nano-onions provides a suitable platform for developing effective and efficient electrochemical biosensors for the early diagnosis of a wide variety of ailments, including cervical cancer.

Furthermore, combining nano-onions or nanodiamonds with different organic biomaterials can facilitate chemical functionality, electron transfer conductivity, light absorption, and more. These, in turn, can lead to innovative disease sensing, targeted drug delivery systems, and biomedical imaging and diagnostics.