Prolight Diagnostics has obtained a European patent based on a cutting-edge solution for separating plasma from whole blood within a fluidic consumable. The separation generates high quality plasma, requires minimal physical space, and is completed in a short time, which opens new potential business opportunities by incorporating the technology into other disposable fluidic systems.

The separation method is a further development of conventional technology that is widely used in the analysis of blood samples in hospital laboratories. Importantly, this method is compatible with larger input sample volumes than typical plasma separation membranes, enabling the detection of more novel analytes. This means that the separation technology could serve as a distinct business opportunity for incorporation into various systems for measuring such components in a range of potential sample matrices, including blood, spinal fluid and faecal samples, even outside MicroFlex. The separation method was developed in connection with the development of the point of care system MicroFlex, now further developed by Prolight's development partner The Technology Partnership (TTP).

“The extensive potential applications of this separation technology, even outside MicroFlex, further strengthen the commercial discussions that TTP is conducting,” said Ulf Bladin, CEO of Prolight Diagnostics.

“It is excellent to see this patent granted. It confirms the technology’s position as a unique solution to the challenge of medium volume blood processing. A number of potential clients are excited by the approach as part of a number of different diagnostic workflows and we have even had discussions regarding taking the technology into space,” said Giles Sanders Head of Diagnostics at TTP.