1. REQUEST # 67677
Technologies for Isolating Albumin from Aqueous Solution
RESPONSE DUE DATE: November 21, 2011
MANAGER: T. Hayama, Ph.D.
SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK
EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com PHONE:+1-216-283-3901
Opportunity
Joint development, development contract, material/product
supply (click buttons above)
Timeline
Feasibility validation: about half year
Completion of development: 1~2 year
Financials
Up to US$100,000 per year (details to be discussed)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND
NineSigma, representing a multi-billion dollar food The client, a foods/functional foods manufacturer,
manufacturer, invites proposals for highly efficient is trying to re-use various by-products from their
and low-cost technologies for isolating albumin processes. In particular, albumin is a soluble
from aqueous solutions resulting from the protein derived from cereal, and it has been used
processing of cereals. as a health food for its effect in lowering blood
sugar levels. Therefore, it would be very
Requirements for Technology: significant if it could be efficiently recovered from
 Evidence or reason that albumin can be by-products.
isolated from aqueous solution (it is
acceptable that other water-soluble proteins In order to recover albumin from aqueous solution,
remain) the client has designed a purification process that
 Should be reusable or low-cost uses alginic acid, a type of polysaccharide
thickener, as part of the production process. In the
Information about the albumin and aqueous current process, however, after the albumin has
solution: been trapped with alginic acid, it is necessary to
 Albumin: recover the alginic acid attached with albumin and
○ Molecular weight: approximately 12 kDa desorb the albumin from the alginic acid by using
○ Solubility: soluble in water salt. Therefore, these steps are one major factor
○ Thermal stability: denatures at that leads to high cost.
approximately ≥ 90°C
 Aqueous solution: The client has issued this open request in order to
○ A suspension, but impurities can be simplify or reduce the cost of this process as a way
removed by preprocessing of trying to lower the cost of the entire
○ Albumin concentration: 0.03% manufacturing process. To solve this problem, a
○ Contents: water (≥ 95%), carbohydrates wide variety of technical approaches are
(several %), insoluble or water-soluble anticipated, such as protein-purification
proteins (several %), minerals (several %) technologies in the pharmaceutical field, recycling
technologies for processing sludge, and the use of
alginic acid derivatives that have been developed
for various purposes.
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

2. NineSigma Request # 67677 Technologies for Isolating Albumin from Aqueous Solution Page 2
ANTICIPATED APPROACHES RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
Anticipated approaches include, but are not
necessarily limited to, the following:
NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
 Ion-exchange resins
By submitting a Response you represent that the
 Albumin-specific affinity ligands Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
 Alginic acid solidification any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.
 Other polysaccharide thickeners
Your Response should be an executive summary (about
(carrageenan, pectin, guar gum, etc.) 3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
technical approach and provide information on
APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST technology performance, background, and description of
the responding team and their related experience. A
The following approaches will not be considered: Response Template is available from our website.
 Ultrafiltration, molecular sieves, etc.
By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that
ANTICIPATED COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right
and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of
Anticipated researchers or organizations for the Responses received for this announcement.
collaboration include, but are not necessarily NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only
limited to, the following: specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
 Researchers who have purification all award amounts.
technologies for human serum albumin
 Researchers who have developed resin
materials using alginic acid RESPONSE EVALUATION
 Engineers who have used alginic acid for NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the
purposes such as sludge or biomass following criteria:
processing
 Overall scientific and technical merit of the
ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN proposed approach
 Approach to proof of concept or performance
The client will review proposals and key  Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
publications. They may ask clarifying questions technology novel or protectable)
before selecting suitable candidates for  Economic potential of concept
collaboration. Once candidates are selected, the  Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
 Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
client will execute non-disclosure agreements
(NDA) if necessary, seek further information The client will contact respondents with highly
disclosure, and discuss possible development responsive proposals for next steps.
approaches.
Once the best candidates will be selected, the
client will execute contracts or joint development
agreements with partners and proceed to verify the
proposed technology.
Specifics of the collaboration will be negotiated
between the parties concerned.
ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL
Responses should use the following template
(https://www.myninesigma.com/sites/public/_layout
s/ProposalTemplates/Response_Template_67677.
doc) and include the following items:
 Overview of the proposed technology
 Development status
 Development plan
 Overview of the organization and prior results
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com