The first part of the project focuses on an upgraded version of the current White FOx. The purpose is to build a more robust device with higher throughput, and which can in addition be easily coupled to other existing tools (e.g. liquid handlers, test bioreactors, ...). Next, we will develop generic tests, like the 'host cell protein' assay, which measures the fragment concentration of unwanted by-products during pharmaceutical drug manufacturing. This information is essential for antibody producers to determine the quality of a drug and to follow the efficiency of the production process. With the support of CrossRoads, we will be able to optimize the 'time to result', detection limit, specificity, reproducibility and storage conditions. This €299 000 project, which is supported for 45% by CrossRoads, started in January of 2020. 
The research group of Prof. Dr. Luc Michiels, head of Immunology – Biochemistry at UHasselt (BIOMED), together with FOx Biosystems as a Project Partner light (PPL), investigates the development of a novel diagnostic method to better evaluate the risk factors of developing CVD. During this project, a new prototype (demonstrator) of SPR optical fibers and measuring robot will be developed, which enables the concentration measurement of specific inflammatory biomarkers in patients with potential risk for CVD. FOx Biosystems will vouch for exchanging data and knowledge within the TTD project. The project will be supported by Interreg TTD through a public private partnership for €48 000. The optimization of the demonstrator will be accomplished by focusing on three main points: 1) production of the gold coated optical fibers, 2) assurance of immobilization reproducibility of affinity molecules, and 3) demonstration of high sample sensitivity. 
FOx Biosystems applied for financial support with a development project focussing on their innovative biosensor technology based on optical fibers. After handing in a detailed project proposal and a thorough screening process, VLAIO decided to provide FOx Biosystems with a grant to stimulate their innovation, transformation and growth.
VLAIO will support FOx Biosystems with €700 000 for their innovative, challenging and realistic development process. This additional budget will be used to upscale and optimize the fiber optic probe manufacturing process, and hire extra employees for bio assay development.
Next-generation fiber-optic biosensor solution to support bioprocessing quality control at pharma giants Top-class research too often fails in finding its way to commercialization. FOx Biosystems, a KU Leuven spinoff company, partners with Comate in developing a performant market-ready product. Comate and Unitron collaborated in engineering an automated, medium-throughput analysis solution around the innovative biosensor technology of FOx Biosystems. The initial graphic system renders of Comate helped FOx Biosystems acquire capital for executing the development. FOx Biosystems’ CEO Filip Delport: “The engineers and designers of Comate are really making the difference in developing a technically refined analysis instrument, equipped with our revolutionary optical fiber sensing technology. We rely on Comate in every phase of the development process to maximize our chances for a successful market introduction. Our new biosensor tops existing instruments in speed, ease of use and operational efficiency. These assets are key elements to improve biomolecular interaction analysis across life science industry and research markets.” Just recently, FOx Biosystems additionally secured 4 million euros in capital with the Limburgse investeringsmaatschappij LRM, KU Leuven Gemma Frisius Fund and several biotech investors, to strengthen its development and sales organization. The headquarters of FOx Biosystems will move to Bioville, the life sciences bio incubator in Diepenbeek, Belgium. A disruptive analysis approach is born The sophisticated sensor technology for biomolecular interaction analysis originates from research performed at KU Leuven. Based on the doctoral research of Filip Delport, the startup FOx Biosystems was established. Currently, Filip Delport leads the company in the role of CEO.  The R&D results of current users are impressive, particularly in terms of working in ‘dirty’ samples and revealing new information on their biomolecules of interest. FOx Biosystems’ tools can disrupt the development and production of biological antibody-based medicines. Such pharmaceutical drugs are used to treat rheumatoid patients, persons suffering from Crohn’s disease, etc. From a lab setup to a market-ready productTo bring the expertise of FOx Biosystems to the market, a team supervised by Filip Delport devised an elaborate business plan. FOx Biosystems established a partnership with Comate Design and Engineering to help translate the laboratory analysis setup to a market-ready product. “As part of our collaboration with FOx Biosystems, we explore the specific needs of pharmaceutical companies and research organizations,” indicates Sander Van den dries, Comate Partner and Director. “We are developing the new biosensor for optimal use and maximal efficiency in realistic settings and focus profoundly on manufacturability.” Filip Delport, CEO FOx Biosystems: “The collaboration with Comate is built on our belief that its design and engineering specialists are perfectly fit for the challenge. From a realistic viewpoint, it did not make sense to develop the performant analysis machine by ourselves.” Making the technology tangible and attractive The Comate specialists started their work after in-depth discussions about FOx Biosystems’ analysis tool and its anticipated use in medicinal development labs and production rooms. Very early on, the designers created a graphic system render which realistically visualizes how the new instrument looks like. “The graphic illustrations of Comate were well received by investors and helped FOx Biosystems secure capital to execute the development of the device,” Delport said.  The technical engineering was executed by Comate in collaboration with Unitron. The project team developed a technically refined instrument that integrates the revolutionary optical fiber biosensing technology into an automated unit. “The solid, yet smooth casing was engineered as a single part using soft plastic molding,” explains Van den dries. “It supports pre-punched connections for faster interior assembly. The first prototype came with stylish status indicator LEDs which support the operation of the instrument.” Digital bioprocessing quality control After the user places the disposable sensor box and their samples into the instrument, the optical head picks up the disposable sensor tips and inserts them into the sample. In the optical head, light is emitted and travels through an optical fiber to the sensor tip and is reflected back to a spectrometer. Subsequently, the user sees the response displayed in real time as a wavelength resonance condition at about 600 nm dependent on refractive index close to the fiber optic surface. Delport: “Thanks to our innovative biosensor technology, the graph shows clear shifts when specific biological interactions occur at the sensor tip. The size and kinetics of the wavelength shifts of the analyzed sample provide insight into specific antibody-related interactions that have taken place.” The gold-coated sensor tip is treated with a chemical solvent to add biological layer(s) on top. The first customers & next-level developments Delport says that the biosensor was engineered to handle up to four sensor units and is already in use at three academic institutions. “They mainly employ the white FOx 1.0 device of FOx Biosystems for diagnostic purposes and screening of nanobodies. The value for these customers is increased speed, ease of use, new types of assays and operational efficiency compared to other biomolecular analysis instruments on the market.” Currently, the development continues and covers technically advanced engineering work to finish manufacturability, regulatory needs, integration with liquid handlers, and performance. Delport: “By adding miniaturized sample holders and the robotized sensor/sample handling, up to 350 samples can be analyzed with record time to result.”  Robust biomolecular analysis at a relentless pace Comate contributed to the evolution of next-generation part assembly for the sensor optical connector. The 3D printed model has been replaced by two injection molded parts with easy assembly to mount the optical fiber. “Our Comate specialists designed the sensor support head and selected appropriate molding and production partners,” says Van den dries. The new sensor optical connector offers increased sensor centricity and accuracy and is perfectly suited for high-throughput analysis jobs. An additional advancement entails the customization of the sample holder, for temperature conditioning, shaking of a sample matrix and/or sample plate if needed. “By proactively anticipating problems and proposing alternative solutions,” says Delport, “Comate is able to quickly establish a new instrument version.” Targeting large, international pharma corporations Besides strengthening R&D, FOx Biosystems is also extending sales efforts by targeting large pharma corporations. The company is setting up partnerships and collaborations with established pharma suppliers and distributors to make its revolutionary biosensor an integral part of a process or diagnostic solution. Large pharma players see this as a viable offer with reliable delivery and agile support. This approach is more likely to deliver them the assurance they need to adopt the solution in their drug development and production operations. The biosensor tool of FOx Biosystems nicely fits in the fast-evolving path to a new or updated biological antibody-based medicinal product or process. Delport: “Instead of sending off samples to another division or a third party, the new biosensor can be used for ‘real-time’ at-line measurements across the stages of discovery, development and production. In a clinical diagnostics context, trough monitoring is one of many analysis types that illustrates the wide application reach of our biosensor.” FOx Biosystems & Comate : A successful partnership“The biosensor technology of FOx Biosystems has many advantages compared to existing biomolecular analysis instruments”, says Delport. “The ease of use, speed, cost-effectiveness and the minimal time for sample pre-processing, even in complex media, are key assets of our device. Currently, we are setting up a number of feasibility studies with international pharma companies. After completion of these studies, we expect a firm commercial uptake that leads to a solid install base in the pharma industry late 2020.”
“Now that we have progressed far enough toward a successful market introduction, we clearly see the value of our active collaboration with Comate. In every phase of development, the Comate specialists showed an extreme urge for quality, safety, appeal and intuitive use. We are convinced that our joined efforts will contribute to improve biomolecular interaction analysis in the life science industry and research market.”
In the September newsletter of Bioville, FOx Biosystems was introduced as a new resident. Our company rents 2 rooms at the first floor which are being turned into a laboratory and office space. As the laboratory consumables are being delivered as we speak, our lab will be up and running within a month (first half of October). By that time, the current employees (Rob Vansweevelt and Anne Houbrechts, who both started at the beginning of June, and Joseph She, who will be starting half September) and the CEO Filip Delport will move to the new headquarters. The address will therefore soon change to Agoralaan Abis, 3590 Diepenbeek. This will be updated on our website once the move has been completed.
|
| To accurately and efficiently manage our laboratory research data, FOx Biosystems implemented eLABJournal from Bio-ITech in our daily work. The Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) software is user-friendly, straightforward and cost-effective. Thanks to eLABJournal documenting, organizing and archiving become easy and practical. |  |
ELN possesses many interesting features, like detailed sample collection/tracking, planning (reservation of devices via calendars) and centralization of supply orders. Moreover, scientists can readily manage protocols/SOPs and experiments. For companies as FOx Biosystems who want to comply to the regulatory guidelines of ISO, it is also crucial that all changes and versions are kept in logs and can be trailed, an aspect made available via eLABJournal.
 |  |  |
With an eLABJournal licence, people can join different groups, making collaborations among colleagues fast and easy. Everything is accessible in only a few clicks and communication with the customer care team runs fast and smoothly. We can strongly recommend the use of eLABJournal to other companies and academic institutions, since they will benefit from all its advantages.
https://www.elabjournal.com/
His Majesty the King visited Health House, located in Heverlee (Leuven), beginning of February 2019. Health House is an innovative experience center that shows visitors the future of healthcare. Visitors are invited to partake in an immersive journey with the help of high tech tools such as motion-controlled exhibits, 3D film and printing, virtual reality, a digital dissection table, and various other visualizations.
During the tour, the King discovered the center’s digital dissection table, one of only two in Belgium. The table allows users to “cut through” and peel off a 3D body from any angle, which, for example, allows students in anatomy lessons to clearly see how implants should work and where they are best positioned.
Health House also allows its visitors the chance to interact with new technologies from entrepreneurs. After a one-hour tour, the King met with various companies already active in the sector, including FOx Biosystems.
During the tour, the King discovered the center’s digital dissection table, one of only two in Belgium. The table allows users to “cut through” and peel off a 3D body from any angle, which, for example, allows students in anatomy lessons to clearly see how implants should work and where they are best positioned.
Health House also allows its visitors the chance to interact with new technologies from entrepreneurs. After a one-hour tour, the King met with various companies already active in the sector, including FOx Biosystems.
In 2019, Health House will also expand its reach from tours and inspiring workshops for medical professionals to broader events dubbed “Public Thursdays.” Every third Thursday of the month, people will have the chance to visit Health House and uncover the newest advances in healthcare technology. The initiative is meant to make science communication all the more accessible.
Fox Biosystems secures 4 million euros in capital with the Limburgse Investeringsmaatschappij LRM, the Gemma Frisius Fund and several biotech investors. Their innovative sensor technology, based on optical fibers, allows a cost-effective, user friendly and fast way of analyzing samples in the life science industry and the research market. The additional capital will be used for hiring extra people, growing internationally and optimizing processes. The Leuven start-up will move its headquarters to Bioville in Diepenbeek.
Fox Biosystems was founded in 2017 as a spin-off of the KU Leuven. The start-up aims to revolutionize the life science industry and research market using its real-time, label-free analysis technology. The FOx technology is based on innovative fiber-optic biosensor technology, which enables the users to generate high quality biomolecular data such as affinity data, kinetic data and concentration measurements. The innovative platform increases the efficiency of pharmaceutical drug research and development and allows flexible bioprocess monitoring.
Minimal sample preprocessing
‘The FOx biosensor technology has many advantages compared to existing biomolecular analysis instruments’, says Jeroen Lammertyn, co-founder and professor at KU Leuven. ‘The ease of use, speed, wide applicability, cost-effectiveness and the minimal time for sample preprocessing, even in complex media, are key assets of the technology.’ FOx Biosystems sells instruments, reagents and services to improve biomolecular interaction analysis in life science industry and research market.
The company now raises four million euros with LRM, the Gemma Frisius Fund and several biotech investors. With this extra resources the early stage biotech company wants to expand their team and take the next steps. ‘The company is still young, but we strongly belief in its growth potential. With this financial injection FOx Biosystems can move on the next phase: process optimization, increase sales and expand internationally’, says Katleen Vandersmissen, Head of Health & Care at LRM.
https://kanaalz.knack.be/nieuws/fox-biosystems-haalt-4-miljoen-op-voor-lancering-analysetoestel/video-normal-1431417.html
Fox Biosystems was founded in 2017 as a spin-off of the KU Leuven. The start-up aims to revolutionize the life science industry and research market using its real-time, label-free analysis technology. The FOx technology is based on innovative fiber-optic biosensor technology, which enables the users to generate high quality biomolecular data such as affinity data, kinetic data and concentration measurements. The innovative platform increases the efficiency of pharmaceutical drug research and development and allows flexible bioprocess monitoring.
Minimal sample preprocessing
‘The FOx biosensor technology has many advantages compared to existing biomolecular analysis instruments’, says Jeroen Lammertyn, co-founder and professor at KU Leuven. ‘The ease of use, speed, wide applicability, cost-effectiveness and the minimal time for sample preprocessing, even in complex media, are key assets of the technology.’ FOx Biosystems sells instruments, reagents and services to improve biomolecular interaction analysis in life science industry and research market.
The company now raises four million euros with LRM, the Gemma Frisius Fund and several biotech investors. With this extra resources the early stage biotech company wants to expand their team and take the next steps. ‘The company is still young, but we strongly belief in its growth potential. With this financial injection FOx Biosystems can move on the next phase: process optimization, increase sales and expand internationally’, says Katleen Vandersmissen, Head of Health & Care at LRM.
https://kanaalz.knack.be/nieuws/fox-biosystems-haalt-4-miljoen-op-voor-lancering-analysetoestel/video-normal-1431417.html
 |  |  |  |  |
Bioville
Filip Delport, co-founder and former doctor-engineer at KU Leuven in de group of prof. Lammertyn, was appointed by the shareholders as Chief Executive Officer. The headquarters of FOx Biosystems will move to Bioville, the bio-incubator in Diepenbeek, from where further development of the technology will happen in close collaboration with the KU Leuven and other partners.
About LRM
LRM is an investment company that develops and stimulates economic growth in Limburg. We provide a solid foundation, allowing companies and projects, which create jobs in Limburg, to grow. Our financial means and economic expertise, together with Limburg’s key assets, create a unique breeding ground. Goele Lemmens, responsible press office LRM, g.lemmens@lrm.be, 0474 21 30 87
About Gemma Frisius Fund KU Leuven
Gemma Frisius Fund is a seed capital fund, which was established in 1997 as a joint venture between KU Leuven, KBC Bank and BNP Paribas Group. The objective of the fund is to stimulate the creation and growth of KU Leuven spin-off companies by providing them with seed capital in the very early phases of their development. The Gemma Frisius Fund combines the research and technology transfer expertise of the university with the financial and investment expertise of the two banks.
More information: http://lrd.kuleuven.be/en/spinoff/gemma-frisius-fund.
About KU Leuven
KU Leuven is one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. With a research budget of over 466 million euro and an academic staff of more than 7,000 researchers, KU Leuven pursues high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, KU Leuven was ranked as Europe’s most innovative university, based on its research output and influential inventions.
More information: www.kuleuven.be/lrd
Filip Delport, co-founder and former doctor-engineer at KU Leuven in de group of prof. Lammertyn, was appointed by the shareholders as Chief Executive Officer. The headquarters of FOx Biosystems will move to Bioville, the bio-incubator in Diepenbeek, from where further development of the technology will happen in close collaboration with the KU Leuven and other partners.
About LRM
LRM is an investment company that develops and stimulates economic growth in Limburg. We provide a solid foundation, allowing companies and projects, which create jobs in Limburg, to grow. Our financial means and economic expertise, together with Limburg’s key assets, create a unique breeding ground. Goele Lemmens, responsible press office LRM, g.lemmens@lrm.be, 0474 21 30 87
About Gemma Frisius Fund KU Leuven
Gemma Frisius Fund is a seed capital fund, which was established in 1997 as a joint venture between KU Leuven, KBC Bank and BNP Paribas Group. The objective of the fund is to stimulate the creation and growth of KU Leuven spin-off companies by providing them with seed capital in the very early phases of their development. The Gemma Frisius Fund combines the research and technology transfer expertise of the university with the financial and investment expertise of the two banks.
More information: http://lrd.kuleuven.be/en/spinoff/gemma-frisius-fund.
About KU Leuven
KU Leuven is one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. With a research budget of over 466 million euro and an academic staff of more than 7,000 researchers, KU Leuven pursues high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, KU Leuven was ranked as Europe’s most innovative university, based on its research output and influential inventions.
More information: www.kuleuven.be/lrd
Preliminary findings from a competitive evaluation study reveal the advantages of FOx Biosystems devices for biomolecular analysis during bioprocessing
Leuven, July 19, 2018 – FOx Biosystems, an innovative biosensor company, today announced its ambition to advance todays bioprocess monitoring methodologies after successfully completing a preliminary evaluation that compared different biosensor devices to monitor bioprocess related proteins.
FOx Biosystems conducted the study with the help of GSK’s biopharmaceutical team based in Stevenage, UK, who compared the FOx prototype technology with two existing biosensor technologies. Using its new White FOx 1.0 system, which uses Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology, Fox Biosystems showed that when sensitivity, reproducibility, cost per analysis and the ability to detect denaturated proteins were compared, the results showed that White FOx 1.0, is a high-performing, easy to use and cost-effective analytical instrument for biomolecular interaction analyses.
“The speed, sensitivity, cost and robustness of the FOx systems are key benefits for bioprocessing monitoring,” says Filip Delport, CTO of FOx Biosystems. “The Fiber-Optic-based surface plasmon resonance biosensor system performed very well in a blinded comparison study. Currently, our team is discussing different implementation routes to support biomolecular analysis methodologies during bioprocess development and monitoring.”
FOx Biosystems launched the White FOx 1.0 last year and renewed its strategy and focus. FOx Biosystems has the ambition to become a world-leader in the field of biomolecular analysis tools, particularly in the bioprocess monitoring field. FOx’ sensor technology can be used from µg/mL down to pg/mL in a label-free or labelled mode enabling the quantification of specific proteins, small molecules, DNA and cells in microliter volume samples. The FOx technology combines throughput with flexibility and good sensitivity in crude matrices. As such, the White FOx 1.0 has several technical benefits which expand its utility as a biomolecular interaction analysis tool for bioprocess monitoring.
Filip Delport, CTO of FOx Biosystems adds: “We are looking forward to supporting companies with bioprocess monitoring technologies. We strongly believe that our products can add value to pharmaceutical companies both in their screening stage and the bioprocess development and monitoring stage”
More information is available at www.foxbiosystems.com
About FOx Biosystems
FOx Biosystems is a spin-off from the KU Leuven. The company offers superior analytical systems, consumables and services for the R&D instrumentation market and the bioprocessing market (development and production of bio-pharmaceuticals). FOx Biosystems was founded in 2016 after more than 10 years of high level research in the MeBioS Biosensor group of Professor Lammertyn, KULeuven. The FOx Biosystems instrumentation uses the fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) to detect target molecules. The disposable sensor probe is coated with a gold layer and functionalized with bioreceptors. This sensor probe is then coupled to a cost-effective, reliable analytical benchtop instrument that enables real-time analysis of biomolecular interactions with a miniaturized optical unit. This instrument, priced at a fraction of competing technologies, was designed, developed and built to be easily operated by a non-specialized user. FOx’ sensor technology can be used in a label-free or labelled mode enabling the quantification of specific proteins, small molecules, DNA and cells in microliter volume samples. This allows scientists or process control analysis laboratories to perform biomolecular analysis in a faster, more robust and more versatile way then ever before. More information is available at www.foxbiosystems.com.
FOx Biosystems Contact
www.FOxBiosystems.com
info@foxbiosystems.com
FOx Biosystems conducted the study with the help of GSK’s biopharmaceutical team based in Stevenage, UK, who compared the FOx prototype technology with two existing biosensor technologies. Using its new White FOx 1.0 system, which uses Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology, Fox Biosystems showed that when sensitivity, reproducibility, cost per analysis and the ability to detect denaturated proteins were compared, the results showed that White FOx 1.0, is a high-performing, easy to use and cost-effective analytical instrument for biomolecular interaction analyses.
“The speed, sensitivity, cost and robustness of the FOx systems are key benefits for bioprocessing monitoring,” says Filip Delport, CTO of FOx Biosystems. “The Fiber-Optic-based surface plasmon resonance biosensor system performed very well in a blinded comparison study. Currently, our team is discussing different implementation routes to support biomolecular analysis methodologies during bioprocess development and monitoring.”
FOx Biosystems launched the White FOx 1.0 last year and renewed its strategy and focus. FOx Biosystems has the ambition to become a world-leader in the field of biomolecular analysis tools, particularly in the bioprocess monitoring field. FOx’ sensor technology can be used from µg/mL down to pg/mL in a label-free or labelled mode enabling the quantification of specific proteins, small molecules, DNA and cells in microliter volume samples. The FOx technology combines throughput with flexibility and good sensitivity in crude matrices. As such, the White FOx 1.0 has several technical benefits which expand its utility as a biomolecular interaction analysis tool for bioprocess monitoring.
Filip Delport, CTO of FOx Biosystems adds: “We are looking forward to supporting companies with bioprocess monitoring technologies. We strongly believe that our products can add value to pharmaceutical companies both in their screening stage and the bioprocess development and monitoring stage”
More information is available at www.foxbiosystems.com
About FOx Biosystems
FOx Biosystems is a spin-off from the KU Leuven. The company offers superior analytical systems, consumables and services for the R&D instrumentation market and the bioprocessing market (development and production of bio-pharmaceuticals). FOx Biosystems was founded in 2016 after more than 10 years of high level research in the MeBioS Biosensor group of Professor Lammertyn, KULeuven. The FOx Biosystems instrumentation uses the fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) to detect target molecules. The disposable sensor probe is coated with a gold layer and functionalized with bioreceptors. This sensor probe is then coupled to a cost-effective, reliable analytical benchtop instrument that enables real-time analysis of biomolecular interactions with a miniaturized optical unit. This instrument, priced at a fraction of competing technologies, was designed, developed and built to be easily operated by a non-specialized user. FOx’ sensor technology can be used in a label-free or labelled mode enabling the quantification of specific proteins, small molecules, DNA and cells in microliter volume samples. This allows scientists or process control analysis laboratories to perform biomolecular analysis in a faster, more robust and more versatile way then ever before. More information is available at www.foxbiosystems.com.
FOx Biosystems Contact
www.FOxBiosystems.com
info@foxbiosystems.com
RSS Feed