Optim – Protein characterisation system
A single instrument providing maximum information about your protein with minimal sample volume
Avacta is developing a benchtop instrument with advanced data analysis software and integrated fluid handling. This is designed for biopharmaceutical developers and other protein science applications that will allow multiple spectroscopic measurements to be made simultaneously on multiple samples or formulations
Target key system features 
- Multiple spectroscopic measurement capability
- Sub micro-litre sample volume
- Parallel measurements on multiple formulations or samples types
- Automated creation of multiple formulations from initial sample on fluid handling consumable chips
- Meaningful data output from advanced analysis algorithms
- User friendly operator interface
Protein characterisation capabilities to include:
- Higher order structure
- Thermal/chemical stability
- Protein-protein interactions
- Aggregation
- Concentration
- Viscosity
Analysis techniques
Optim hardware will provide detailed information about higher order protein structure and the interactions which govern critical-to-performance properties like aggregation and storage stability on sub micro-litres of material. Avacta is also developing advanced pattern recognition and machine learning software to accompany this innovative data acquisition hardware to assist in developing predictive models which may be used to guide the design and development of biopharmaceutical products and elucidate relationships in protein science. This combined hardware and software solution will create a step change in the ability of drug developers and protein scientists to characterise their compounds fully at a very early stage.
Development and process enhancements available through using Optim
Candidate screening: The small sample volumes required and multiple measurement capabilities allow multiple lead molecules to be investigated and those with the most favourable biophysical behaviour selected.
Formulation development: A wide range of different formulation conditions can be automatically generated using only small amounts of protein sample allowing experiments to be performed early in the development process. The performance of these formulations is assessed in the instrument to help identify the optimum solution for efficient ongoing development, processing and stability of the product. Data acquired from a range of samples or a range of formulations by the instrument may be combined with existing available information and explored with advanced data analysis and pattern recognition software to help identify relationships between molecule design, processing parameters, formulation and biopharmaceutical performance – these relationships can then be used to build predictive models and assist rational development of molecules, formulations and processes.
Exploring effects of protein engineering: The small sample volumes and multiple measurement capabilities of the Optim instrument facilitate studies on the behaviour of multiple, differently engineered proteins with the potential to improve understanding and ultimately protein design for improved performance.
Product quality (QA and QC): The high throughput, automated nature of the Optim system lends itself to QA/QC applications and can play a significant role in fully characterising biological products, for example in comparability studies.
Well characterised molecules
Formulation and stability can be addressed and lead compounds with the most favourable biophysical behaviour can be selected very early on reducing the risk of late stage failure. The greater depth of the characterisation provided by Avacta’s technology will contribute hugely to ability of drug developers to directly address the FDA’s pressure to achieve “well characterised molecules” and provide the ability to address issues such as comparability after process change and the protection of their intellectual property.
Download Optim_Leaflet.pdf (223KB)
