BioNLight · Targeting the biological imaging market with multifunctional fluorescent nanoparticles

BioNLight has been designed to investigate the prospective of commercially exploiting our multimodal nanoparticle technology in the biological imaging market. The introduction of this technology will open up an entirely-new window of molecular imaging possibilities, thereby supporting advances in biology, drug discovery & development and diagnostics.Funded by ERC, Prof. Brunsveld and colleagues have developed modular nanoparticles that exactly address the needs of the molecular imaging field. These nanoparticles of organic nature can be produced in a reproducible one-step method by self-assembly in water. The result is a highly-robust and biocompatible nanoparticle that can be modulated to emit any desirable colour frequency with long-term emission and high photostability. Moreover, they can be functionalised with multiple ligands thanks to great control over surface functionality and can be prepared not only for fluorescent studies, but also for other imaging technologies. In practise this implies that the technology platform can be used to advance a wide range of in-vitro and in-vivo assays and to visualise yet-uncovered processes.It is the objective of BioNLight to select the most interesting applications for commercialisation and to build up a prospectus that can be used to convince future customers of the practicability and the imaging power of our technology platform. Besides, we aim to construct a sound business model and strategy for commercialisation. This will be done by external validation of the nanoparticles by industry followed by final optimisation, by means of an extensive market study, by building a strong IP position and by setting up a business plan with detailed financial feasibility projections. The ERC Proof of Concept Grant will enable us to take the ERC Starting Grant results to a sound business proposition.