Development of the COMFIDENT technology

In 2017, our team from Karolinska Institutet developed COMplexome FIngerprint DEconvolutioN Technology (COMFIDENT), an innovative workflow combining statistical modeling with experimental protein synthesis techniques for analyzing protein complexes. This method requires a comprehensive high-throughput proteomics assay for each specific protein complex. Following the completion of these experiments, the resultant Complex Fingerprint Matrix (CFM) enables the evaluation of high-dimensional protein complexes using advanced proteomics data.

For the past five years, our team has meticulously conducted protein synthesis experiments to generate a high-quality CFM for approximately 2,000 verified protein complexes. In our initial application of this technology, we assessed 1,600 complexes in more than 30,000 individuals. The findings were remarkable, uncovering previously unknown biomarkers for complex diseases that were undetectable using existing proteomic assays.

For detailed information, see our Flyer for the introduction of COMFIDENT and our Showcase for the analysis results.

Advancing the proteomics field

The proteomics market is currently experiencing significant growth, indicating a promising potential for technologies like COMFIDENT. As of 2024, the global proteomics market is projected to reach around USD 27.60 billion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%, reaching approximately USD 72.9 billion by 2028. This growth is driven by factors such as the rising demand for personalized medicine, increasing research and development expenditure, and technological advancements in the field.

In terms of market segmentation, the reagents and consumables segment holds a substantial share, accounting for more than 70.30% of the global revenue in 2021. This segment is also anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth rate during the projected period. This growth can be attributed to the extensive use of reagents and consumables in various biological research settings, combined with technological developments in instruments like 2-D electrophoresis protein analyzers, which improve research efficiency.

The clinical diagnostics segment dominates the proteomics industry, with a significant share of more than 51.65% in 2021. This dominance is due to the high adoption of protein analysis in clinical research for identifying disease biomarkers and risk factors, which opens new opportunities for prevention and early intervention of diseases.

Given these market dynamics, the COMFIDENT technology, with its focus on high-dimensional protein complex analysis, could be well-positioned to capitalize on the growing proteomics market. Its potential to uncover novel biomarkers for complex diseases aligns with the current market trend towards personalized medicine and clinical diagnostics. Furthermore, the demand for advanced and efficient diagnostic tools and drug discovery platforms is on the rise, which could further justify the potential profitability and market size for COMFIDENT.