Label‑Free Dielectric Spectroscopy Platform for High‑Throughput Ion Channel Drug Screening (Dielectric Spectroscopy Assays for Screening of Ion Channel Ligands, Tech ID: 08‑009)
Technology Overview: This technology provides a label‑free dielectric spectroscopy–based assay platform for screening ligands that interact with ion channels, a critical class of pharmaceutical targets. The system measures changes in dielectric properties induced by ligand‑channel interactions, enabling real‑time detection without fluorescent labels or radioactive markers. By eliminating complex labeling steps, the platform simplifies assay workflows while preserving sensitivity. It is well suited for high‑throughput drug discovery environments and can be adapted for multiple ion channel types, offering a versatile analytical tool for pharmaceutical R&D.
Industry Pain Point: Conventional ion‑channel assays rely on labels that introduce cost, complexity, and potential interference with biological function.
NJIT Solution: This platform enables direct, label‑free detection of ion‑channel activity using dielectric signatures, streamlining screening and improving data quality.
Key Features & Advantages
- Label‑free, real‑time assay readout
- Reduced assay preparation time and cost
- Compatible with high‑throughput screening workflows
- Applicable across diverse ion‑channel targets
Development Stage: TRL 4–5 – Laboratory validation completed.
Target Markets
- Pharmaceutical drug discovery
- Contract research organizations (CROs)
- Academic and translational research labs
Market Opportunity
- Global ion channel drug discovery market (2026): ~$6B
- CAGR: ~9–11%
- Projected market size (2035): ~$14–16B
Commercial & IP Details
Inventors: Kevin Carlin, Victor Ilyin, Donald Kyle, Camelia Prodan, Gang Wu