Open Flow Microperfusion (OFM) is a novel in-vivo technology for continuous sampling of the interstitial fluid from brain and peripheral tissues. Application of the OFM technology is focused on cerebral tissue (cOFM) and dermal as well as subcutaneous adipose tissue (dOFM, aOFM). OFM has the ability to sample a wide range of substances from small ions, small molecules, and lipophilic drugs to large proteins, antibodies, vesicles, and even cells.
The distinct advantage of OFM lies in the use of patented membrane-free probes. Membrane-based sampling technologies like Microdialysis are restricted by a nominal size cut-off value and encounter problems when sampling high molecular weight or highly lipophilic substances in the interstitial fluid. Minimally-invasive OFM probes overcome these problems by featuring an exchange area with macroscopic openings instead of a membrane. OFM probes have either a linear (dOFM, aOFM) or a concentric design (cOFM). In combination with a specialized peristaltic OFM pump, OFM achieves a stable recovery of interstitial fluid samples. This unfiltered sampling results in a complete representation of the interstitial fluid for relative and absolute quantification in the target tissue.
Importantly, cerebral OFM allows sampling with an intact blood–brain barrier as it, unlike existing cerebral microdialysis tools, features a membrane-free probe and uses a probe-dummy during healing which allows tissue regeneration without the formation of scar tissue at the implant site. Therefore, the possibility of long-term implantation into the brain makes cOFM an out-standing tool in the development of brain relevant pharmaceuticals.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be partnering with JOANNEUM RESEARCH in bringing the innovative OFM technology to the scientific community. OFM will be a potential tool for researchers interested in understanding the tissue specific Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PK-PD). Drug Discovery and Academic scientists in the field of Neuroscience / Neuropharmacology, Dermal, Oncology, Biomarker and PK-PD research will certainly be benefitted by getting access to this cutting-edge in-vivo sampling platform. OFM has distinct advantages over Microdialysis and Ultrafiltration like sampling with intact blood-brain barrier integrity and molecular size inclusivity, providing the competitive edge in characterizing neurotransmitters, peptide and protein biomarkers, antibodies, transporters, enzymes, bound and unbound drugs and even vesicles and cells from the extracellular space. OFM products are compatible with BASi’s in-vivo sampling systems and therefore certainly a great complement and addition to BASi’s product portfolio. We certainly look forward to excel and furthering this collaboration with JOANNEUM RESEARCH…said Dr. Srini Jayaraman, Product Manager and Principal Investigator at BASi.
“We have developed and validated Open Flow Microperfusion (OFM) in the last 20 years and created a tool that gives insight in local, tissue specific Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamics. We are more than happy that we found in BASi an experienced partner for the commercialization of our product in order to make our remarkable tool accessible for a wide range of customers. Currently, the main application fields for OFM are monitoring of transport across biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier and the skin as well as bioequivalence studies. OFM is also successfully used in drug and formulation development, biomarker research, and nano-technology as well as basic research projects such as the investigation of local immune cell populations and microvesicle release. We are happy to provide support with the application of OFM technology and design of optimized study setups.” State Dr. Frank Sinner, Director of the Institute HEALTH at JOANNEUM RESEARCH and Dr. Thomas Birngruber, Leader of the OFM Research and Development Team.
About JOANNEUM RESEARCH
JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH is a leading international research organisation that develops solutions and technologies for businesses and industry covering a wide range of sectors. As an INNOVATION COMPANY focused on applied research and technology development, it plays a key role in facilitating the transfer of technology and knowledge in Austria.
HEALTH: The Institute for Biomedicine and Health Sciences acts as a link between basic medical research and industrial application in close cooperation with the Medical University of Graz.
HEALTH as the inventor of OFM provides high-quality PK/PD services in preclinical and clinical settings ranging from experiments in explanted human tissue, different animal models up to clinical studies in healthy subjects and patient cohorts with different conditions. These services are supplemented by GLP compliant bioanalytics, datamanagement and statistics. Visit www.openflowmicroperfusion.com for more information about OFM.
About Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.
BASi is a pharmaceutical development company providing contract research services and monitoring instruments to the world's leading drug development companies and medical research organizations.
The Company focuses on developing innovative services and products that increase efficiency and reduce the cost of taking a new drug to market. Visit www.BASinc.com for more information about BASi.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to changes in the market and demand for our products and services, the development, marketing and sales of products and services, changes in technology, industry standards and regulatory standards, and various market and operating risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Reference:Nasdaq News