STEMCELL Technologies Acquires Cellular Highways to Enhance Cell Sorting Technology
The acquisition is expected to help expand its cell therapy capabilities, gaining advanced microfluidic cell sorting tech for enhanced research
The acquisition includes Cellular Highways’ Highway1 instrument, which uses its proprietary VACS™ (Vortex-Actuated Cell Sorting) technology.
VACS™ uses microfluidic vortices to perform gentle, precise, and high-speed cell sorting within a closed, sterile system. Unlike traditional non-sterile droplet-based and electrostatic sorting techniques, VACS™ technology maintains cell health and viability, enabling sensitive applications in research and therapeutic development. According to the company, this significantly reduces research and development timelines and costs.
Here are the features from their website:
Fast
With cell throughput rates of 37,000 per second in enrichment mode and 10,000 per second in purity mode, the Highway1 is the fastest chip-based sorter.
Gentle
Using patented VACSTM technology, The Highway1 reduces cell stress compared to conventional droplet sorters.
Sterile
Samples are run in sterile, single-use cartridges without sheath fluid to prevent any sort of sample contamination using the Highway1.
For every lab
The simple, intuitive software guides the user through the sorting process so the Highway1 can be used in every lab.
Dr. Allen Eaves, President and CEO of STEMCELL, stated: “Since entering the market in 2024, Highway1 has proven to be the fastest GMP-ready cell sorter available and is designed and manufactured under ISO 13485 certification. We are pleased to welcome this powerful instrument, along with the entire Cellular Highways platform, to STEMCELL’s portfolio of advanced cell processing instruments.” He added, “With this new complement to our existing cell isolation and culture product lines, we look forward to further supporting scientists with the tools they need to accelerate innovation in the development of life-changing cell and gene therapies.”
Current Highway1 customers will continue to receive technical support from STEMCELL’s Product and Scientific Support specialists.
