About
Kytopen is a Cambridge, MA-based biotechnology company focused on solving cell therapy manufacturing bottlenecks at the discovery stage through scalable genome engineering. Their proprietary Flowfect® technology combines continuous fluid flow with electric fields to deliver genetic payloads — including mRNA, DNA, and CRISPR-Cas9 RNP — to billions of cells in minutes with high efficiency and minimal cell damage. The platform offers two core instruments: the Flowfect Discover™ Platform, an automated small-volume liquid-handling system capable of high-throughput transfections across up to 96 conditions in a single ~10-minute run, designed for drug discovery, screening, and process optimization; and the Flowfect TX® Platform, a closed-system large-scale transfection instrument processing 10–50 million cells per mL at 25–50 mL per minute with no batch volume limitations. Kytopen's technology is uniquely translatable across all phases of development — researchers can optimize parameters at small scale and predictively transition those conditions to manufacturing scale using the same singular platform. This eliminates costly re-optimization steps and accelerates the path from bench to clinic. The platform is designed for biotech and pharma researchers, cell therapy developers, and biomanufacturing teams seeking to streamline and de-risk the scale-up of engineered cell therapies.
Key Features
- Flowfect® Continuous Flow Transfection: Combines continuous fluid flow with electric fields to deliver mRNA, DNA, and CRISPR-Cas9 RNP payloads to billions of cells in minutes with high efficiency.
- High-Throughput Discovery (Flowfect Discover™): Automated small-volume platform supporting up to 96 unique transfection conditions per run in ~10 minutes, compatible with standard 96-well liquid handling consumables.
- Large-Scale Manufacturing (Flowfect TX®): Closed-system instrument enabling large-scale transfections at 25–50 mL/min with no batch volume limitations, compatible with standard bioprocessing bags.
- Predictive Scale Translation: Optimized parameters from small-volume discovery experiments translate directly and predictively to large-volume manufacturing, eliminating re-optimization.
- Multi-Modal Payload Delivery: Delivers a wide range of genetic payloads including mRNA, plasmid DNA, and CRISPR-Cas9 RNPs across diverse cell types with retained cell functionality.
Use Cases
- Optimizing transfection conditions for CAR-T or other engineered cell therapies at discovery scale using high-throughput screening
- Scaling cell therapy manufacturing from small-volume optimization to large-scale bioproduction using a single consistent gene delivery technology
- Delivering CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes to primary human cells for genome editing research
- Accelerating drug discovery workflows by enabling rapid screening of multiple gene delivery parameters across dozens of conditions in one run
- De-risking cell therapy scale-up by establishing predictive translation parameters early in the development process
Pros
- Single Platform Across Development Phases: The same Flowfect® technology is used from early discovery through manufacturing scale, reducing technology transfer risk and re-optimization costs.
- High Throughput with Speed: Up to 96 conditions can be screened in a single ~10-minute run, dramatically accelerating optimization timelines.
- Non-Viral, Cell-Friendly Delivery: Continuous flow approach retains cell functionality and viability better than traditional bulk electroporation methods.
- Compatible with Standard Consumables: Works with off-the-shelf bioprocessing bags and standard 96-well plates, easing integration into existing lab workflows.
Cons
- Research Use Only: Both platforms are currently labeled for research use only and not approved for clinical or diagnostic procedures, limiting direct clinical deployment.
- Specialized Application: The platform is purpose-built for cell therapy and genome engineering workflows, making it less relevant for general life sciences or non-cell-based research.
- Quote-Based Pricing: No public pricing is available — costs require direct engagement with the Kytopen sales team, which may slow procurement decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flowfect® technology?
Flowfect® is Kytopen's proprietary non-viral gene delivery technology that combines continuous fluid flow with electric fields to transfect billions of cells in minutes. It supports delivery of mRNA, plasmid DNA, and CRISPR-Cas9 RNP payloads.
What is the difference between Flowfect Discover™ and Flowfect TX®?
Flowfect Discover™ is a small-volume, automated high-throughput platform for discovery and optimization (up to 96 conditions, 50–100 µL volumes). Flowfect TX® is a large-scale, closed-system instrument designed for manufacturing-scale transfections with no batch volume limit.
Can parameters optimized on Flowfect Discover™ be used on Flowfect TX®?
Yes. A core advantage of the Kytopen platform is that optimized conditions from small-volume Flowfect Discover™ experiments translate predictively to large-scale Flowfect TX® manufacturing runs, avoiding costly re-optimization.
Is Kytopen's platform compatible with existing lab equipment?
Yes. Flowfect Discover™ is compatible with standard liquid handling consumables such as HSP9655 96-well plates, and Flowfect TX® works with standard cell therapy bioprocessing bags.
How do I get access to Kytopen's platforms?
Kytopen offers a Technology Access Program and supports direct quotes via their website. You can contact them at [email protected] or through the Request Quote page for pricing and access details.
