Refeyn
Pioneering precision with mass photometry innovation
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Mass photometry is a cutting-edge technique that measures the mass of individual biomolecules using light. This method enables studies of molecules in their native state, allowing real-time observation of molecular interactions in solution. Refeyn, a pioneer in mass photometry, worked with us to develop its MassFluidix® HC system, which utilises microfluidics for rapid sample dilution, enabling the analysis of low-affinity complexes.
This advancement positions Refeyn at the forefront of advanced analytical technologies, facilitating groundbreaking discoveries in drug development and life sciences research.
Measuring molecules with light
Mass photometry is a technique that directly measures the mass of individual molecules in solution. Laser light is scattered by the sample and interferes with light reflected from a coverslip, enabling real-time observation of mass distributions. This technology is particularly advantageous for studying biomolecular interactions, offering high sensitivity and resolution without the need for labelling or extensive sample preparation.
Mass photometry is valuable in various fields, including drug development and biochemistry, and Refeyn commercialised and continues to develop mass photometry technology. Having spun out of Oxford University in 2018, the company has achieved rapid success. By 2025, it had placed more than 500 of its instruments in labs across industry and academia and enabled over 1,000 research publications.
The challenge: Refeyn’s users – industrial and academic scientists – wanted to measure mass distributions in highly concentrated solutions, a capability the existing systems couldn’t deliver. At high concentrations there are too many binding events to resolve the measurement with the standard system. While samples can simply be diluted, in some cases, such as the study of low-affinity complexes, dilution changes the behaviour or property that is being measured.
Developing a microfluidic chip for MassFluidix® HC
Refeyn selected us to help it develop the microfluidic chip for its MassFluidix® HC system – an innovation that enhances the traditional capabilities of mass photometry by employing microfluidics to rapidly dilute samples and take the measurement, before the kinetic state of the solution has changed.
Our team brought a diverse blend of capabilities to the table: mechanical design engineers with life sciences instrument expertise, microfluidics specialists, PhD physicists familiar with analytical techniques like mass photometry, and material scientists skilled in surface chemistry.
Together with Refeyn, we enabled them to:
- Identify and understand the options for constructing the chip, including materials and manufacturing methods
- Develop the detailed design of the chip
- Study the fluidic performance of the chip using advanced digital simulation methods to create a “digital twin” of the product
- Identify, select, and onboard a strategic manufacturing partner
- Develop and test the design to Refeyn’s high quality standards.
Unlocking new possibilities for scientific discovery
The result of the collaboration was the MassFluidix® HC chip, which Refeyn launched in late 2024. Refeyn’s customers are already using MassFluidix® HC to explore complex biomolecules, pushing forward the frontiers of biochemical understanding in ways previously out of reach.
For Refeyn, this solution opens doors to new applications and markets, cementing its position as a leader in advanced analytical technology. For end users – scientists at the cutting edge of drug discovery and academic research – it delivers a tool that’s unique in its ability to unlock insights from challenging samples.
Our approach brought PA’s experience in developing microfluidic systems to bear on Refeyn’s product development challenge – combining deep microfluidics expertise with simulation-driven design and a focus on manufacturability. By staying flexible and pulling together specialists from physics to engineering, we turned a lab prototype into a scalable solution that’s now driving real scientific breakthroughs.”
Working with the PA Consulting team was a smooth and engaging experience. They stayed flexible as the project evolved, brought solid technical know-how, and contributed ideas that helped turn the concept into a finished product. Their collaborative spirit and reliability made them a valuable partner throughout.”
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