Infineon Technologies presents a biochip platform that is designed to greatly accelerate the discovery and development of new medical drugs. The core of the platform is a biochip, with a surface of only one square centimeter, which can simultaneously perform tests using up to 400 known genes, providing scientists with a way to more quickly screen and identify substances that are drug candidates.
Infineon developed the silicon chip technology that is used in the Flow-Thru ChipTM with the U.S. company, MetriGenix, Inc. Infineon will market systems that use the Flow-Thru Chip in Europe, while MetriGenix operates in the U.S and other regions. Development of the technology, and Infineon's market introduction of the system today, marks a major step in the implementation of Infineon's strategic "Agenda 5-to-1" program, which encompasses the company's plan to establish itself within the next five years as the number one supplier of semiconductor solutions.
Better chances for treatment, revenue advantage of up to 500 million euros
Currently, pharmaceutical companies typically invest an average of 12 to 15 years into the development and test phase of a new drug. Because every acceleration of this process can improve the patients' chances for successful treatment, test systems based on the new Flow-Thru Chip make an important contribution to the industry. Using new, chip-based analysis methods, the pharmaceutical industry expects time saving of one to two years in the development of a new drug. For a "blockbuster" drug - a popular, widely used medication - reducing time to market by just one year can mean increased revenues of up to 500 million Euros.
How the Flow-Thru Chip Works
The Flow-Thru Chip is made of silicon. A special manufacturing process developed by Infineon is used to etch about one million microchannels with a diameter of one tenth of a human hair within a surface of only one square centimeter. MetriGenix adds known sections of genes, for example, genetic material known to change activity in the case of breast cancer, to create probes. The probe material is fixed to the interior of the microchannels, providing a large surface area for the subsequent biochemical reaction. The samples to be examined are treated with a potential active agent and then repeatedly pumped back and forth through the pores in a process that is known as Flow-Thru. In the process, only the matching gene segments of the sample will bind to the probe material. A luminescent dye that is added in a subsequent step will bind to the matched genes and emit detectable light. Captured by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera and forwarded to a computer, the light pattern can be evaluated on the screen.
