IP protection strategy and market analysis for novel long-term photostable nanocluster fluorophores for highly bleach-resistant fluorophore microscopy

Fluorophores are chemical compounds that release light upon laser excitation. By conjugating them to various labelling modalities, they are used to probe the structures of biological systems, as well as the indicator in biosensing. Much of the world’s biomedical research is intertwined with fluorescence microscopy data and processes. A near universal limitation of fluorescence microscopy is the photobleaching, or ‘death’ of the fluorescence. We aim to bring a novel fluorophore developed in the lab to market that is highly resistant to photobleaching to address this need. First, we aim to determine IP protection strategy. This will require consultation with external specialists, such as CETAV, and Stredoceske Inovacni Centrum (S-IC). Secondly, there is a large range of potential markets that cannot be targeted simultaneously . The fluorescence microscopy industry is worth just over $1bn, with the EU contributing 25% of the market. Fluorophore sales are estimated to account for 40-50% of revenue. The UK market is a similar size, with fluorophore sale accounting for 45-55% of the revenue. The global biosensor market is estimated to be approximately $34bn, with the EU accounting for $9.4bn of this. Fluorophore based biosensors account for $9.7bn of the world market. The sale of fluorophores only into the global biosensor market is estimated at 10-15%, or approximately $4-7bn. We will conduct market research and analysis to determine the most promising product to enter the market with. We will seek advice from J Heyrovsky Institute’s internal Technology Transfer Team on this. Thirdly, we will consolidate our learning and progress from the duration of this project to design more targeted proof-of-concept experiments based on the market analysis, ensure IP protection is in place/progressing and start to develop plans for the founding of a spin-out company. These outcomes will be used to develop the business plan further, and provide the basis of additional applications to projects like PRAK.