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A universal droplet microfluidic platform for ultrahigh-throughput biocatalyst evolution

Award Number: R42GM143989
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/25/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2025

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A universal droplet microfluidic platform for ultrahigh-throughput biocatalyst evolution - Abstract The advance of biotechnology is dependent on approaches for rapidly iterating through genetically engineered enzymes and pathways. While computational and gene synthesis techniques have seen considerable innovation in the last few decades, screening variants for desired activities has lagged behind, with few notable advances. Indeed, microwell plates, a nearly 60-year-old technology, remain the dominant tool. The objective of Fluid Discovery is to transform this field by introducing a novel screening paradigm based on precision nanoliter fluid handling; this groundbreaking approach will increase the scale of screens that can be performed by 100x while driving down costs. In addition to a fundamentally new hardware architecture for scalable screening, our approach implements label-free mass spectrometry and computational techniques to enable discovery of unanticipated enzyme activities and enhancements. Fluid Discovery is founded by the inventor of the key technologies and, thus, is in a prime position to advance this space and become a commercial success. This grant will fuel the development of the first alpha prototype that can be run by early access customers, to illustrate the utility of the technology, its appropriateness for industrial research and development, and its maturity for the market; all of which will be necessary to raise private funding for commercial scale up. Our team includes experts in pharmaceutical development (Dr. Prince), commercialization (Dr. Sunkara), and science and technology (Dr. Abate). This team has a demonstrated track record of commercial success, having built companies with current value >$1 billion. Fluid Discovery’s technology will allow engineering campaigns infeasible with today’s technology at a price point accessible to biotech startups and academic research labs, and with transformative efficiencies attractive to Big Pharma.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2023	VIVID BIOINNOVATIONS, PBC	953 INDIANA ST	SAN FRANCISCO	CA	94107	SAN FRANCISCO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	2/9/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $817,050 )
2023	2023	FLUID DISCOVERY, INC.	953 INDIANA ST	SAN FRANCISCO	CA	94107	SAN FRANCISCO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	9/19/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$817,050
														Subtotal = $817,050

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $837,842 )
2022	2022	FLUID DISCOVERY INC	42 LONGVIEW DR	DALY CITY	CA	94015	SAN MATEO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	9/16/2022	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$837,842
														Subtotal = $837,842

Grand Total All Awards = $1,654,892

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A universal droplet microfluidic platform for ultrahigh-throughput biocatalyst evolution

Award Number: R42GM143989

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/25/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2025

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