Integrated Micro-Chromatography Systems

Integrated Micro-Chromatography Systems (IMCS), founded in January 2013, is a biotechnology firm that develops and manufactures advanced tools for clinical, forensic, and research laboratories. The company was established by three Ph.D. scientists from the University of South Carolina: L. Andrew Lee, Qian Wang, and William Brewer. The founders combined their expertise to commercialize a novel technology for separating chemicals in complex biological fluids. Dr. Lee, now the Chief Scientific Officer, earned his Ph.D. while studying under Dr. Wang and had prior entrepreneurial experience with A&Q NanoDesigns. The company's growth was supported by the USC/Columbia Technology Incubator program, and by 2016, IMCS had constructed its own laboratory and headquarters.

The business operates by designing, manufacturing, and distributing its products to a global client base that includes clinical and forensic toxicology labs, academic research facilities, U.S. government agencies, and health science companies. IMCS generates revenue through the sale of its two main product lines and by offering custom solutions tailored to specific laboratory workflows. The company has also secured significant non-dilutive funding through federal grants, including over $5.25 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research into neurodegenerative diseases and glycobiology.

IMCS's portfolio is centered on two key product lines. The first, IMCSzyme®, is a genetically modified beta-glucuronidase enzyme used primarily in urine drug testing. It facilitates the rapid and efficient hydrolysis of various drug classes, enabling faster and more accurate results for toxicology and pain management screening. The second product, IMCStips®, is based on a patented dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) technology. These pipette tips contain loosely packed resin that mixes with a sample during automated pipetting, which allows for high-throughput purification of proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids for drug discovery and development. This automated approach enhances reproducibility and reduces processing time compared to traditional methods.

Keywords: micro-chromatography, biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, forensic toxicology, recombinant enzymes, dispersive solid-phase extraction, dSPE, IMCSzyme, IMCStips, protein purification, antibody purification, drug testing, urine analysis, sample preparation, laboratory automation, beta-glucuronidase, glycobiology, neurodegenerative disease research, proteomics, genomics, biopharmaceutical, NIH grant, SBIR, STTR