Cytodelics AB was awarded SEK 500,000 by Vinnova under the Innovative Startups 2025 call (reference 2025-02415) for the project "Systematic technology development of chemicals for freezing live blood."
Project period: November 2025 – July 2026 (completed)
The project's goal is to create an optimized method for preserving whole blood so that immune cells maintain their original composition and activation state during long-term storage. Current approaches often rely on isolating PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells), which can introduce variability and limit the usefulness of samples. [vinnova.se]
Specifically, Cytodelics AB proposed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to analyze and improve cryoprotective formulations. The aim is to reduce damage caused by:
What the project did: Screened over 300 candidate formulations using calorimetry to characterise ice-nucleation and glass-transition behaviour, converging on a prototype reagent with seven co-optimised components. The formulation enables whole-blood storage at ≤ −80°C with post-thaw cell viability exceeding 70%. A related finding identified formulations that also preserve red blood cells effectively.
Outcome: Scientific objectives were met despite delays from equipment delivery and an unplanned facility relocation. The work demonstrates feasibility for clinical and multi-centre use by removing logistical constraints tied to fresh-sample processing. Commercialisation activities could not be completed inside the project timeframe.