Abselion

Abselion, formerly known as HexagonFab, is a Cambridge, UK-based company specializing in automated analytical instrumentation for life sciences. Founded in 2017 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge by Ruizhi Wang, the company aims to simplify complex biological workflows. The name Abselion is a combination of Antibody, Sensor, Electronic, and Ion, reflecting the core of its technology. The company serves scientists and researchers in the biopharmaceutical industry, helping them accelerate the development and production of biotherapeutics like antibodies and gene therapies.

Abselion's primary product is the Amperia system, a compact, benchtop instrument that provides automated, at-line quantification of proteins and viral vectors directly from unpurified samples. This system is built on proprietary Redox Electrochemical Detection (RED) technology, which tracks electrical changes as molecules interact, offering high sensitivity and specificity without the need for complex optics or fluidics. The Amperia system can deliver measurement results in as little as one minute per sample, significantly speeding up access to critical data for bioprocess optimization and decision-making. This allows researchers to monitor processes like cell line development and viral vector manufacturing in near real-time.

The company generates revenue through the sale of its Amperia instrument and the accompanying RED-Sensors and reagent kits required for various assays, such as monoclonal antibody and AAV quantification. In December 2024, Abselion secured £6.6 million in a Series A funding round led by M Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Merck. This funding is aimed at driving the commercialization and expansion of the Amperia system's capabilities. Key investors include BGF, R42, BioProcess 360 Partners, and Untitled Ventures.

Keywords: protein quantification, viral vector analysis, bioprocess analytics, at-line measurement, Redox Electrochemical Detection, RED technology, Amperia system, biotherapeutics development, antibody quantification, AAV titre measurement, life science tools, automated analytical instrumentation, biopharmaceutical research, cell line development, biologics manufacturing, diagnostic equipment, biosensors, nanotechnology, process analytical technology