SlipChip

About SlipChip

SlipChip Corporation operates as a microfluidics technology firm, spun out from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2010. The company was co-founded by Dr. Rustem Ismagilov and Brian Coe, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer. The foundational technology emerged from Dr. Ismagilov's academic research, first at the University of Chicago and later at Caltech, where he is a Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Dr. Ismagilov's work in microfluidics, aimed at solving challenges in global health, directly led to the invention of the SlipChip device. A significant financial milestone for the company was securing $26.5 million in a Series B funding round in March 2015.

The core of the business is the SlipChip, a lab-on-a-chip device designed to simplify and miniaturize complex biochemical analyses. The device consists of two plates, typically made of glass or PDMS, with imprinted wells and channels. By physically 'slipping' one plate relative to the other, continuous fluid paths are converted into thousands of discrete, nanoliter-sized droplets. This mechanism allows for the precise metering, mixing, and isolation of samples and reagents without the need for external pumps, valves, or complex equipment. The bottom plate can be preloaded with various reagents, and the simple slipping action combines them with the sample from the top plate, enabling massively parallel reactions to occur simultaneously. This process conserves sample volume and reduces labor costs.

SlipChip is developing sample-to-answer solutions primarily for the diagnostics and life sciences research markets. The technology enables quantitative measurements of nucleic acids and proteins, making it suitable for applications like digital PCR, immunoassays, and single-molecule analysis. A key target market is point-of-care diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited settings where traditional laboratory equipment is unavailable. The platform's ability to provide precise quantitative results, such as HIV viral load, using a portable device and a smartphone for readout, highlights its potential in global health. The business model likely involves the sale of SlipChip devices and associated reagents to clinical laboratories, research institutions, and healthcare providers, as well as potential licensing of the technology to other diagnostic companies.