Dolomite Microfluidics & MilliporeSigma Collaborate to Release Off-the-Shelf Microfluidic Device Kits for the Fabrication of PLGA Particles

Dolomite Microfluidics and MilliporeSigma have partnered to create a range of off-the-shelf NanoFabTx microfluidic device kits for the production of PLGA nano- and microparticles for drug development and controlled drug-release applications. The kits, which will be available exclusively from MilliporeSigma, are also ideal for the encapsulation of drugs and other therapeutics in liposomes, such as the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccines currently under investigation.

The increasing use of biodegradable PLGA polymers for drug encapsulation and formulation of controlled-release preparations has created a market for easy-to-use, ready-to-go microfluidic solutions that simplify the workflow for researchers. The new NanoFabTx kits include a microfluidic chip, holders, and accessories, along with application data for the production of a variety of particle types and sizes; simply connect the kit to the pumps and start your application. This user-friendly microfluidic approach offers better encapsulation efficiency and higher monodispersity than traditional methods. Particles of the correct dimensions can be isolated without wasteful filtering, ensuring the tight control of size and shape that is essential to regulate the speed of drug delivery and release. The new kits are intended for use with MilliporeSigma’s NanoFabTx PLGA-Nano and NanoFabTx PLGA-Micro Reagent kits, and are perfectly optimized for microfluidic pumps and software from Dolomite to give high accuracy and consistency. The kits can also be combined with Dolomite’s high throughput Telos technology for scaled up experiments.

Richard Gray, Commercial Director at Dolomite Microfluidics, said “MilliporeSigma chose Dolomite Microfluidics because of our reputation and many years’ expertise in providing excellent microfluidic solutions that deliver consistent and reliable production of particles. The controllability and reproducibility that microfluidics offers means the process is really finding its place in drug and vaccine development, making it the method of choice. We are looking forward to continuing our work with scientists to keep getting particles out there at the forefront of this area.”

Established in 2005, Dolomite Microfluidics has grown to be the world leader in the design and manufacture of high quality innovative microfluidic products. The company offers a range of microfluidic systems, components and specialist chemicals – including pumps, chips, connectors, temperature controllers, sensors, accessories, and custom-made components – as well as software for analysis or automation. Modularity, ease of use, innovation and scalability are common to all Dolomite Microfluidics products, which are used across a broad range of applications in biology, drug discovery, chemistry, food, cosmetics and academia. Dolomite is a part of the Blacktrace group of companies, a world leader in Productizing Science, and has offices in the USA, Japan, India, Brazil and Hanoi as well as a worldwide network of distributors.

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has some 22,000 employees and 59 manufacturing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany completed its $17 billion acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich in November 2015, creating a leader in the $125 billion global life science industry. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 57,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene-editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2019, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany generated sales of €16.2 billion in 66 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Performance Materials. Since its founding 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.