The PRISM System is a novel, closed-system platform designed for laboratory research use in pancreatic islet isolation. Originally developed at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and licensed to U.S. based Biorep Technologies, The PRISM System has been optimized for research scalability, reproducibility, and ease of use. ECM Europe supplies one of the key components of this innovative research platform system: the custom-engineered sterile tubing set.
Partnership with Biorep Technologies
For more than three decades, Biorep Technologies, headquartered in Miami, has specialized in developing advanced laboratory instruments for diabetes, cell therapy, and regenerative medicine research. When LUMC developed a new automated system for the laboratory isolation of islets of Langerhans, Biorep, with decades of technical excellence and reliable engineering, was the natural partner to refine and standardize the design to enable broader research use.
“The PRISM system fills a gap in the field by bringing automation, reproducibility, and standardization to islet isolation workflows,” says Felipe Echeverri, CEO of Biorep Technologies. “By applying Biorep’s decades of engineering excellence to this system, we’re creating a reliable platform that not only improves consistency in diabetes research but also has the potential to support additional cell-isolation and tissue-processing applications.”
Focus on laboratory reproducibility
The PRISM system is designed to automate the islet isolation, washing, and purification process. Its closed, modular design reduces the risk of contamination and human error, while minimizing the number of operators required. These features help research laboratories improve reproducibility and efficiency when studying pancreatic tissue. A key objective for institutions engaged in non-clinical diabetes research.
“Because PRISM operates as a closed and automated system, it provides a highly standardized environment for research laboratories,” adds Felipe. “Our goal is to help ensure that institutions can produce reliable and comparable results across sites. Whether in North America, Europe, or anywhere else around the world.”
Specialized tubing set from ECM Europe
The PRISM system incorporates a custom-engineered sterile tubing set, intentionally designed to unify multiple components and precision connections into a single, streamlined assembly. To ensure the highest level of quality and performance, Biorep partnered early with ECM Europe to design and manufacture this critical component.
“We’ve been closely involved from the initial concept phase, translating Biorep’s tubing set design into a robust and manufacturable product,” says Jeanne van Gerwen, Director of ECM Europe. “The resulting PRISM system tubing set is of the highest quality to support reliable islet isolations.”
The first production batches for research use are being evaluated at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) in collaboration with LUMC – marking another step in the system’s independent research validation.
A strong European partnership
“We deliberately chose ECM because of their expertise, strong vendor relationships, and commitment to quality,” says Felipe. “Having a strong European partner has been strategically important for us. ECM’s experience in customized tubing set manufacturing and their understanding of regulatory standards make them a valuable collaborator.”
ECM’s partnership with Biorep illustrates how European manufacturing excellence and U.S. engineering innovation can come together to develop laboratory technologies that advance global diabetes research.
Perfect timing for a research solution
With the COBE 2991 cell separator – long used in laboratory islet purification – being phased out by the end of 2025, research institutions have been seeking a modern, standardized replacement. The PRISM system addresses this need through a closed, automated, and modular system that supports reproducible laboratory isolations under sterile, controlled conditions. The platform serves as a research-use successor to legacy centrifugation systems and provides an adaptable foundation for continued scientific study.
Proud to Contribute
“The PRISM system has become an important project for everyone at ECM: from our management team to our cleanroom technicians,” says Jeanne. “We’re proud to support Biorep and LUMC in advancing laboratory research that could help shape the future of diabetes science.”
About the islets of langerhans
The islets of Langerhans are clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin and other hormones critical for regulating blood sugar levels. In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys these insulin-producing cells. Research into isolating and studying these islets helps scientists better understand diabetes and explore new therapeutic approaches for future applications.
