RAFT's collaboration with 'The Ideas Studio'

Posted 23/02/10

Smart Matrix™ Automation project

We have recently started a project in collaboration with ‘The Ideas Studio’ to design and make a prototype robotic-centred machine to automate the processing of Smart Matrix, in order to meet the quality requirements required for clinical manufacture of the material.

This is an exciting challenge and there are many different steps and manipulations involved in our current ‘manufacture by hand’ method. What we are aiming to do is to build in flexibility to vary parameters such as mixing and incubation time, volumes of reagent, intensity of agitation and number of flips.

The assembly will involve engineering, fluid pumping and valving, and mechanical manipulations thermal control and robotics, all under computerised control.
Another aspect of the design is to incorporate appropriate solutions for keeping the material sterile and producing in a form which in which it is ready to be packed and distributed to clinics.

It is exciting for us to realise that a project like this is feasible in our current technological environment, whereas perhaps 10 years ago, a task of such complexity would have required a prohibitive investment to be considered practical at the pilot stage of such a project.

While we are just beginning this now, and could uncover unforeseen problems, we look forward to reporting progress and maybe a working prototype in the next six months or so.