Cytek® Biosciences Signs Agreement with CRG and UPF to Accelerate Scientific Discoveries

Cytek Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTKB), a leading cell analysis solutions company, has signed an agreement with the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) to drive technological innovation and accelerate discoveries for the scientific community.

Cytek’s collaboration serves as a testament to the substantial impact of its technology, laying the groundwork for expansion into new applications. The company's distinctive approach to spectral flow cytometry is renowned for its profound influence on advancing the understanding of cell biology, immunotherapy, and targeted therapeutic methodologies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cytek will provide new, state-of-the-art spectral cytometry platforms – along with trained support personnel – to the CRG-UPF Flow Cytometry Unit’s headquarters. The Unit, founded in 2001 and based in the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, is a worldwide reference site for advanced flow cytometry applications. Collaborating with Cytek will help the Unit develop and test new methods, taking advantage of the Full Spectrum Profiling™ (FSP™) technology pioneered by Cytek, as well as provide researchers and users with continuous training on the most innovative developments in the flow cytometry field.

“This collaboration is a recognition of the immense value of the cutting-edge methodologies developed by our Unit,” said Oscar Fornas, head of the joint CRG-UPF Flow Cytometry Unit. “We are excited to work with Cytek and develop new applications that will ultimately accelerate scientific discoveries and help consolidate our Unit’s position as a world leader in flow cytometry.”

Flow cytometry is a technique used to measure and analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of cells as they move through lasers. The technique allows scientists and clinicians to count cells, sort cells and detect biomarkers with extremely high accuracy and speed. Flow cytometry is routinely used to analyze blood or perform blood tests – and has become particularly important in biomedical research fields including immunology, hematology and cancer research, where it enables the identification and sorting of extremely rare cell types.

The CRG-UPF Flow Cytometry Unit is used by more than 500 researchers for more than 100 research projects every year. Cytek’s advanced cell analysis solutions and expertise provides these researchers with a more comprehensive, accurate, and detailed analysis of cellular characteristics. This can lead to a better understanding of complex biological processes and the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

Recognized as a pioneer in spectral flow cytometry, Cytek is the creator of the first commercialized fluorescence-based flow cytometry platform to achieve 40 colors – effectively shifting the paradigm of what scientists thought was possible in flow cytometry. The company’s patented Full Spectrum Profiling technology empowers scientists, allowing them to go even further with their research – all with greater ease and shorter time to results compared to conventional flow cytometry.

“With the presence of several institutes working in life sciences within a unique research campus, the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park offers a great diversity of research fields and best-in-class technologies,” noted Ming Yan, Ph.D., CTO of Cytek Biosciences. “The integration of these institutes through shared core facilities that facilitate collaborations and promote the exchange of knowledge between scientists is a great opportunity for Cytek to guide future developments. Together, we will work to explore new applications and develop new tools and solutions to address the demands and challenges of the scientific community. Cytek is committed to advancing the next generation of cell analysis – and becoming the partner of choice throughout the life sciences community.”

Image: Representatives from the CRG, UPF and Cytek at a signing act ceremony held today at the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB).