# High-throughput injectability screening of high concentration protein formulations by microfluidic quartz resonators

> **NIH NIH R44** · QATCH TECHNOLOGIES, LLC · 2024 · $45,000

## Abstract

The objective of this TABA proposal is to carry QATCH’s nanovisQ™ technology, which is a wide-shear-rate
range and low volume viscometer for determining developability and injectability of biopharmaceutical
formulations, from prototypes to sales. This objective is motivated by the needs of the growing protein-based
biopharmaceutical therapeutics industry (with global market size over $100 billion). Protein-based therapeutics
are administered as high concentration formulations due to the volume constraints of subcutaneous injections.
However, increased protein-protein interactions at these high concentrations can cause injectability and
manufacturability issues, which cannot be determined at early stages of drug development due to the high
sample volume requirements of conventional rheology techniques. By developing a wide shear rate range, low
volume viscometer, protein molecules can be optimized for injectability/manufacturability and candidates with
better developability can be selected for scaling-up. This TABA will address crucial gaps in QATCH’s current
expertise and team and will advance commercialization. In this TABA work, QATCH’s sales consultant will assist
QATCH for product sales through 1) developing marketing strategy, 2) preparing to execute marketing and sales,
3) executing the strategy and optimize it through feedback.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11093217
- **Project number:** 3R44GM151918-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** QATCH TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Zehra Parlak
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $45,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-09-15 → 2025-09-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11093217

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11093217, High-throughput injectability screening of high concentration protein formulations by microfluidic quartz resonators (3R44GM151918-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11093217. Licensed CC0.

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