Next generation platform for vaccine and drug development
ANP System
The Automated Nanoparticle (ANP) System speeds up and automates your process development, and initial production of larger samples of lipid nanoparticle with a select number of promising formulations while decreasing consumption of costly reagents.
The versatile, high throughput ANP System offers excellent monodispersity and encapsulation efficiency, which improves experimental consistency. The ease of set-up and modification of parameters allows for reduced optimization timeframes, making it suitable for automated process development.
Unique benefits
Cost Saving
Speed
Flexibility
Scalability
Monodispersity
No IP Licensing
Benefits of the ANP System
Specification and components
Quad Pump
The ANP System is equipped with two Quad Pumps – automated two-channel syringe pumps designed to aspirate fluids from a source bottle and dispense into a system. This is how the ANP System ensures accurate dosing, a continuous flow and consistent nanoparticle generation.
Operating Pressure: 0 to 10 bar
Pressure Resolution : 0.1 bar
Flow Rate Range: 50μl to 10ml/min
Fluidic Tubing Output Connections
Input: 3.2mm OD x 1.5 mm ID
Output: 1.6mm OD x 0.8mm ID
Working Temperature Range (external): 5 °C to 40 °C
Automated Sample Valve
The PW Automated Sample Valve (ASV) features chemically resistant valves (6 port, 2 position) enabling direct injection of fluids into interchangeable sample loops.
Operating Pressure: 0 to 20 bar
Sample loop sizes:1 , 5 and 10 ml
<pFluidic port connections: 10-32 valve ports (Luer fitting for sample loading)
Fluidic port fittings: PEEK 10-32 Fittings with 1/16″
CTFE Ferrules
Working Temperature Range (external): 5 °C to 40 °C
Pressurized Fluid Store
The Pressurized Fluid Store (PFS) holds up to 4 x 250 ml bottles for the use of air and moisture sensitive reagents under a pressurized inert atmosphere, and assists in delivering an extremely smooth flow by minimizing input cavitation and gas bubble formation during pumping at high flow rates
Accepted pressure range of the gas input:
0 – 10 bar
Regulated output pressure (to bottles): 1 bar
Accepted gasses: Compressed Air, Nitrogen, Argon
Automated Collector
The Automated Collector enables fully automated collection of single and multiple reactions. Excess solvent can be dispensed into a waste container automatically to prevent contamination in the outlet channels. Capable of being fitted with a range of rack sizes, the Automated Collector can collect a wide range of volumes to suit the experimental process.
The 3-way valve automatically switches from waste to collection as the product arrives at the Automated Collector allowing walk-away synthesis of multiple reactions with precise collection volumes.
See our platforms in action
Would you like to see how our technology can help you with your drug development pipeline?
We would love to show you in person. Simply click on the button below to arrange a demonstration with one of our scientists and we will be in touch very soon!
Phosphorex uses ANP System to accelerate LNP development
Dr Julia Rashba-Step, Vice President of Research & Development and Alliance Management at Phosphorex, commented: “Having evaluated all available options for nanoparticle screening and optimization, the ANP System offers the best solution for us. We use it daily for nanoparticle formulation and process optimization as it provides robust and reproducible results – enabling us to deliver complex projects on time against aggressive deadlines. Having worked with the (now Particle Works) team for a few years, we have complete faith in their capabilities. We appreciate their willingness to work with customers to improve results, and their customer service is excellent.”
Essential Documents
Controlled synthesis of lipid nanoparticles
Application Note
Automated Nanoparticle System
Flyer
Develop and produce LNPs
Scientific Poster
Maintaining LNP performance
Scientific Poster
Optimizing LNPs for novel nanomedicines
Scientific Poster
Automated Nanoparticle System Datasheet
Datasheet
Quad Pump
Datasheet
Automated Sample Valve
Datasheet
Pressurized Fluid Store
Datasheet
Automated Collector
Datasheet
FAQ
Can I vary parameters to change the size of lipid nanoparticles produced?
Yes, the powerful Flow Control Center software allows you to determine specific Total Flow Rates, Flow Rate Ratios and Dilution Ratio for each experiment. The graph below shows how particle size can be controlled by adjusting these parameters and also that high encapsulation efficiency is maintained throughout.
How Automated is the ANP System?
Once the system is primed and samples loaded into the Sample Loops the system can run completely autonomously until the defined experiments have been completed. The graph below shows 10 experiments being completed within 15 minutes and without human interference, including cleaning cycles.
What volume samples can I make with the ANP System?
For process optimisation and low/medium-throughput screening the ANP System can make as little as 200 µl per experiment. The ANP System can also work in continuous mode to produce up to 1 liter per hour of product. The graph below shows the production of consistent size LNPs in both Protocol (200 µl to 10 ml scale) to Continuous (>10 ml to 1 liter/hour) modes. As the same microfluidic chips can be used for screening and production you can avoid the issues of variability and re-validation which are typically encountered when scaling-up.
What microfluidic chip geometries can I use with this system?
The standard geometry we recommend using is a cross-junction, which uses hydrodynamic flow focusing methodology – widely accepted as a highly controllably way to produce nanoparticles. However, we have a range of microfluidic geometries with a range of junction sizes and all our microfluidic chips interface with our nanoparticle generation systems, allowing you to ‘plug and play’. Our dedicated sales team will work with you to determine what microfluidic chips suit your application. If you are looking for something a little different, we have in-house design and production capabilities to produce custom microfluidic geometries.
I want to produce lipid nanoparticles and polymeric nanoparticles, is the ANP System suitable for me?
Yes! The ANP System is suitable for any self-assembly nanoparticle production process. As well as lipid nanoparticles, we have in-house experience with a range of polymeric materials, including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polystyrene (PS), polyacrylamide, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). If you are still unsure, get in contact and our Science and Applications team will discuss your needs and highlight the suitability of the ANP System.
How can I reduce the high ethanol concentration in my LNPs?
The ANP System has the ability to perform optional in-line dilutions, after nanoparticle production, with no added time to the experiment. The degree of dilution can be tailored to each experiment, allowing you to rapidly reduce the overall concentration of ethanol in your final product and continue with down-stream characterisation. Alternatively, you can perform dialysis in a buffer solution over a number of hours.
Does the ANP System have heat control?
As standard, the ANP System does not have heat control, however if this is a requirement for your nanoparticle synthesis, get in contact to discuss this need further with our dedicated Sales team to see how we could help.
What is the chemical compatibility of the ANP System?
The chemical compatibly of our wetted components has been strenuously tested and can be found in the System datasheet.