Columbia develops and manufactures purified antibodies, fluorescent markers, and precision conjugates. These products promise increased diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy by improving sensitivity and reproducibility. These benefits are achieved with a coordinated suite of proprietary technologies:
- Technology to purify antibodies by affinity chromatography under non-destructive conditions
- Technology to manufacture unique fluorescent markers from cultured microalgae
- Technology to make precision antibody conjugates
History
Columbia began as a spin-off from Martek Biosciences Corporation’s fluorescent products group. Over the past ten years, the fluorescent products group developed the technology and processes to culture microalgae, harvest their fluorophores and conjugate them to antibodies for sale as biological reagents. Columbia employees (employees from the fluorescent products group) purchased this small business unit in 2007 with Martek retaining a minority equity interest. Almost simultaneously, Columbia entered into two separate R&D agreements for two additional complementary technologies. The first involved a novel antibody/protein purification process, and the second, a new process to make precise antibody conjugates.
Columbia’s technology goes back to the mid-1980s when Martek scientists developed the initial processes to produce microalgal fluorescent markers. Also a spin-off, Martek began in 1985 as a small group of scientists from Martin Marietta Laboratories (now Lockheed Martin Corporation), who had been working on NASA funded projects to develop microalgal culturing technology for possible use in the international space station. Martek’s goal was to build on findings from Martin Marietta to develop commercial products from microalgae. This led to the development of new photo-bioreactors, related support processes and equipment. Further, Martek built one of the world’s largest, live, microalgal culture collections and an extensive database enumerating their biochemical and physiological attributes on a strain-by-strain basis. Martek’s major success was the commercial production of microalgal DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid linked to brain and eye health and development. Its DHA is now present in over 95% of infant formulas sold in the United States and is sold in over 60 countries around the world. It is also in brand name products such as Minute Maid juices, Silk soymilk, Yoplait for Kids yogurt, Odwalla Soy Smart, and Horizon organic milk.
Columbia obtained all technology relating to microalgal fluorescent proteins, including their culturing, stabilization, and conjugation intellectual property as part of its purchase of Martek’s fluorescent business unit.