INVICOL GmbH is a biotech start-up located in the Innovationspark Wuhlheide in Berlin,  developing the BMProbe – a medical device that is inserted into the patients’ cubital vein for the isolation of rare circulating cells. The minimal invasive approach has a high sensitivity and specificity providing compelling and improved diagnostic value. Our technology opens new possibilities in the field of personalized medicine, early diagnosis and disease monitoring

Currently, most products used for the isolation of rare cells from human blood as biomarkers follow an in vitro approach. In contrast, the BMProbe is introduced into the cubital vein of a patient via an indwelling venous cannula.

The geometry of the BMProbe was optimized to screen the largest possible volume of blood in the cubital vein. This increases the examined blood volume by a factor of more than 30 compared to a regular blood sample. Therefore, the sensitivity for detecting circulating cells is far superior to exisiting in vitro methods.

Once the BMProbe is withdrawn, the number of isolated cells can be determined in just over an hour. This procedure is semi-automated and requires little training. The isolated cells can be further analysed using downstream molecular diagnostics.

Circulating Endothelial Cells:  

Endothelial cells provide the physical interface between blood and surrounding tissue. They regulate nutrient and blood component traffic. Due to mechanical or chemical reactions endothelial cells can detach and enter the blood stream. They are then referred to as Circulating Endothelial Cells (CECs). CECs are low in healthy patients (around 4 CECs/mL) and increased in patient with Acute Conorary Artery Disease or Heart Failure patients, among others. CECs are therefore considered a biomarker to monitor arterial plaque disruption as well as treatment response.  

Circulating Tumor Cells: 

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) represent a proven diagnostic and prognostic indicator of cancer progression. They disintegrate very early from the primary tumor and travel via the blood stream to all parts of the body. Isolating and analysing CTCs enables an earlier detection of the tumor compared to using common imaging technology, resulting in a higher probability of successful treatment. Additionally, distant metastases that may even be present in early-stage patients, can be detected and identified. This can help physicians selecting the optimal treatment for each patient.

The aim of this project is the development of an in vivo approach to isolate CTCs from the peripheral blood stream. The main objective is to enrich a sufficient number of CTCs on the BMProbe’s surface to enable their use as a reliable tool in diagnostics.

This joint project will be cofinanced within the framework by the IBB Pro Fit and European Regional Development Fund. Together with the Biofluid Mechanics Laboratory of the Charité Berlin and the University of Potsdam.

Funding Program: Pro FIT Projektfinanzierung
Funding by: EFRE
Project duration: 01.01.2020 – 30.10.2022
Cooperation partner: Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and University of Potsdam