Down to Business

Smart food packaging technologies can actualize real-time, in situ food quality monitoring, increasing food safety and decreasing food waste. Here, we detail challenges that hinder the commercialization of such smart packaging systems and identify opportunities to facilitate their translation from prototype to product.

Fats and oils are crucial dietary supplements for human health. However, animal fats and palm oil dominate the food industry, with concerns over health and the environment that call for the development of fat alternatives. The fat industry offers a vast market potential, with several startups pioneering new technical solutions and attracting venture capital interest.

The Navion, a clinical-scale electromagnetic navigation system, is the result of over 20 years of development. Its motivation began in 2003 with the goal of controlling the motion of magnetic microrobots; however, its first clinical use is proving to be for guiding magnetic catheters, guidewires and endoscopes.

Combining the precision of CRISPR’s DNA searching ability with the speed and scalability of electronics, we have developed an ‘electronic DNA search engine’, called a CRISPR–Chip, which not only enables DNA detection without amplification, but also showcases the untapped potential of merging molecular biology with nanomaterial electronics. Here, we discuss highlights and challenges on the journey from the initial idea to the commercialization of the CRISPR–Chip.

Access to prosthetic and orthotic devices remains limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to the lack of manufacturing and specialized healthcare facilities, and the limited access to skilled, certified medical personnel. Rise Bionics makes devices with digital fabrication and access-conscious engineering to increase accessibility and affordability.

At the LV Prasad Eye Institute in India, we developed an ophthalmic electronic medical record and hospital management system, integrating clinical, surgical and operational functions in one platform to allow digital eye care services at the point of care.

Silk protein can be applied as an edible food coating to extend the shelf life of food products by slowing dehydration and reducing oxidative stresses. Here, we highlight the commercialization of Mori Silk, from lab discovery and first proof of concept to manufacturing, scale-up, field validation, regulatory approval and forward-looking challenges.

At Pulmobiotics, we engineer bacteria for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Here, we outline how we designed MycoChassis — an attenuated bacterium strain obtained by genome engineering of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (a human lung pathogen) — and discuss the challenges on the road to its clinical translation.

Animal cells can be cultured in vitro to fabricate meat-like, edible products with the aim to provide a sustainable source of animal protein while improving animal welfare and reducing the environmental impact of meat production. CellX is a China-based startup company that aims to commercialize cultured meat in China.

The Spark M-20 is a nanotechnology-based, handheld device that detects toxic methanol in beverages and sanitizers, which may soon also be applied for intoxication screening in human breath. Here, we share our pathway and experiences during the translation of this university-originated innovation into a commercial product that today is serving customers in 23 countries on 6 continents.

The Gx Sweat Patch is a wearable microfluidic sweat sensor that can be worn by athletes to monitor their sweating rate and sweat chloride concentration. Here, we highlight the commercialization of the Gx Sweat Patch, from developing and optimizing prototypes of a wearable sweat-sensing platform, to validation in competitive individual and team-sport athletes, and the challenges of commercial launch.