Fluidigm Corporation has announced a working collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline to develop a high-throughput protein crystallization platform.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has purchased the prototype Topaz AutoInspeX workstation and has signed an agreement for the supply of Fluidigm's disposable Topaz microprocessors. GSK scientists have been using the Topaz Crystallizer and its palm-sized microprocessors for intensive screening of conditions that produce protein crystals. With the purchase of the workstation and the supply agreement, GSK is using the complete Topaz system to optimize its crystallization operations in a prototype environment with plans to install the working system as part of GSK's drug discovery process.

"We view our collaboration with GSK as critical to our goal of developing the definitive high-throughput system for protein crystallization, a system that produces crystals with the greatest frequency, consumes the least protein, completely automates crystallization classification with accuracy unmatched in the industry, and is the clear market leader in running cost," states Gajus Worthington, Fluidigm's CEO and co-founder. "GSK's knowledge in both robotics and protein structure determination will be a huge benefit to Fluidigm."

Creating protein crystals aids in determining the three-dimensional structure of proteins, the typical targets of pharmaceuticals, and so enables rational drug design. Protein crystallization involves screening the target protein against many different reagents and protein-reagent ratios to find the precise conditions that produce crystals. The Topaz system includes microprocessors, the Crystallizer hardware, and the AutoInspeX workstation, which automates the detection and classification of crystallization trials.

Fluidigm and GSK Technology Development, working closely with GSK Ventures (GSK's intellectual-property-based venture capital fund) have established a working collaboration. As part of the agreement, Fluidigm will ensure that its evolving line of Topaz microprocessors is compatible with GSK's protein crystallization infrastructure. GSK will in turn provide Fluidigm access to intellectual property for integrating the Topaz technology with state-of-the art robotics.