# Development of a chemical reaction sensor array platform for label-free, real-time kinetic analysis of enzyme-substrate reactions to enable high-throughput drug discovery

> **NIH NIH R44** · SPOC PROTEOMICS INC. · 2022 · $974,700

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Global expenditures by pharmaceutical companies for research and development continue to increase each
year with a current estimate of $1B USD and upwards of 15 years to develop a new drug. Drug discovery efforts
are critical to the downstream success of candidate selection and relies heavily on high-throughput screening
(HTS) to identify viable leads. Current methods for HTS drug discovery assays, such as fluorescence-, or
luminescence-based methods, suffer from inherent technical drawbacks and limitations that result in false results
leading to failed programs. Additionally, the majority of current HTS methods are not amendable to ultra high-
throughput and use end-point assays as opposed to real-time kinetic approaches that can provide a more
thorough assessment of molecular interactions. The use of real-time kinetic assays and higher throughput in
drug discovery programs could greatly enhance success rates while reducing cost and time.
 INanoBio is developing a novel fully depleted exponentially coupled (FDEC) field effect transistor (FET)
biosensor-based nanosensor multiplexed electronic drug discovery platform (nMEDD) for HTS. Our nMEDD
platform will offer (i) real time enzymatic reaction monitoring; (ii) ultra-high sensitivity of detection; (iii) ultra HTS
scalability; and (iv) high automation compatibility. The FDEC FET sensors electronically monitor changes in
charge or potential by directly reacting with ions in solution, thus allowing for the determination of kinetic reaction
rates to inform real-time detection and quantitative measurement of the effects of inhibitors or activators on the
enzymatic reaction. As an initial validation of the technology platform, we are focusing on developing nMEDD for
use in drug discovery for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Specifically, we will focus on developing assays to monitor
tau phosphorylation and dephosphorylation to enable screening for modulators of tau phosphorylation, as
cytosolic aggregates of tau have been linked to AD pathology.
 The overall goal of this Fast-Track program is to develop INanoBio’s nMEDD platform as a HTS method for
monitoring enzymatic reactions for drug discovery purposes. To achieve this goal, the Phase I program will be
focused on development of a small-scale multiplex sensor and FDEC FET assays for tau phosphorylation and
dephosphorylation to validate the performance of the multiplex sensor. Successful completion of Phase I will
result in a sensor chip with spacing that is applicable to a 1536-well plate format and is capable of providing a
stable response across the chip for detection of tau phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. The Phase II
program will focus on further demonstrating the commercial potential of the FDEC FET technology by completing
fabrication of an FDEC FET multiplex sensor and detection system for 1536-well detection of phosphorylation
and dephosphorylation of tau, in addition to validation of the assay and demonstration of its poten...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10450925
- **Project number:** 4R44TR003250-02
- **Recipient organization:** SPOC PROTEOMICS INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Bharath Takulapalli
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $974,700
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2020-09-05 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10450925

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10450925, Development of a chemical reaction sensor array platform for label-free, real-time kinetic analysis of enzyme-substrate reactions to enable high-throughput drug discovery (4R44TR003250-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10450925. Licensed CC0.

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