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NanoSIMS: Enhancing drug discovery through academic collaboration in AstraZeneca’s BioVentureHub
Overview
NanoSIMS, a cutting-edge secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instrument, offers unparalleled analytical imaging at the nanoscale. Formally owned by the University of Gothenburg, this advanced technology is hosted at AstraZeneca's Gothenburg site within the BioVentureHub. This strategic collaboration bridges pharmaceutical and academic expertise, advancing research in intracellular drug targeting.
While NanoSIMS primarily benefits AstraZeneca and the Nordic life science sector, its applications extend to a diverse scientific community, including materials science, geology, marine biology and environmental studies. This collaboration underscores AstraZeneca's commitment to an open research environment and the application of academic advancements to real-world therapeutic challenges.
The challenge
A critical challenge in the drug discovery process is accurately predicting the pharmacological effect of molecules, which depends heavily on their concentration at the target site. Traditional methods struggle to measure these concentrations at a subcellular level, complicating the assessment of drug efficacy and safety.
The NanoSIMS instrument has the ability to measure elemental, isotopic, inorganic, organic, and biomolecular distributions in a range of samples with high sensitivity. Additionally, it can perform 2D/3D imaging with nanometer spatial resolution.
Key facts - from challenge to opportunity and impact.
Approach: How the BioVentureHub catalyzed collaboration
To address this, an academic research team and instrument was embedded into AstraZeneca's operations through the BioVentureHub. This setup has facilitated close collaboration between academic scientists and AstraZeneca’s drug discovery experts, leveraging shared knowledge and the cutting-edge NanoSIMS technology.
Outcomes
The collaboration has led to significant breakthroughs, including several co-authored publications detailing the first methodology for measuring drug content at a sub-cellular level. This is a critical innovation for therapeutic design, offering insights into drug uptake and intracellular trafficking.
One of the key developments from the collaboration is DrugSIMS, a novel technique that enables precise measurement of drug uptake and endosomal escape. This method provides comprehensive insights into protein and lipid trafficking, essential for the development of new drug modalities. Additionally, the creation of the Molecular Content Calculator web tool allows researchers to accurately determine the detection limits for drug accumulation at the subcellular level, enhancing the precision of drug evaluation.
"Being embedded in and hosted by the BioVentureHub at AstraZeneca's Gothenburg site has provided a unique opportunity to engage closely with leading drug discovery scientists. This environment has been pivotal in advancing our technology to a level that has tangible impacts on the pharmaceutical industry."
"Our NanoSIMS lab is at the forefront of revealing drug behaviour within the subcellular environment, mapping the exact locations and concentrations of drugs within cells, which is crucial for the development of effective therapies."
”Our collaboration with NanoSIMS is facilitating unprecedented studies of disease mechanisms and drug interactions, opening new avenues in drug discovery and development."
”The BioVentureHub was instrumental in enabling the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology to establish the NanoSIMS facility at AstraZeneca. This collaboration has unlocked new opportunities, accelerating pioneering research and the development of life-changing medicines."
Ulrika Edvardsson presents the setup of the collaboration at the NanoSIMS Workshop at AstraZeneca R&D site in Gothenburg.
Conclusion
The integration of NanoSIMS technology and expertise within the AstraZeneca BioVentureHub exemplifies a successful collaboration between academia and industry. It not only enhances the understanding of intracellular drug dynamics but also accelerates the development of new therapies, reinforcing the importance of such collaborations in advancing scientific and medical frontiers.
Elias Ranjbari is sharing the NanoSIMS uniqueness and story with members in the AZ BioVentureHub community.
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