In this edition of "From the Corner Office," we sit down with John Michalek, CEO of Zebra Analytix, to gain an inside look at the pioneering advancements his company is making in the field of miniaturized chromatography instruments and the exciting future that lies ahead.
Tell us about Zebra Analytix
Zebra Analytix is a manufacturer of cutting-edge miniaturized chromatography instruments, columns, and detectors utilizing microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Chromatography is a multi-billion-dollar industry that for many years has been trending toward smaller, more compact, and greater energy efficient systems. A major limitation in achieving this with chromatography instruments has been the columns themselves, in which all instruments are designed and built around. MEMS columns are a solution to this problem due to their size and versatility making this trend achievable where it previously was impractical. Our patents, licensed from Virginia Tech University as well as generated in-house, have allowed us to advance these columns into commercially viable products. We have also realized enumerable new “non-traditional” chromatography applications for the technology that have the potential to bring chromatography into everyday life. In addition, we have also begun development, using MEMS columns, to replace the need for Mass Spectrometry in many applications. More to come on that in the near future!
Tell us about your background and how you became involved with Zebra.
I studied organic chemistry at university which led me to various laboratory roles over many years as an analytical chemist. One of those roles introduced me to chromatography in sample preparation and then in operating instruments that included gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. After that, I worked for a large corporation with an extensive chromatography portfolio where I learned to commercialize and bring new products to market on a global scale. This led me to co-found a company that designed fast chromatography instruments and high sensitivity detectors. Continuing the quest to miniaturize chromatography instruments, I became involved with Zebra Analytix as their CEO believing that our MEMS technology will change chromatography instrumentation and impact the industry.
What excites you about Zebra?
Besides building instruments that are miniature and cost effective, the real potential to replace the necessity for a Mass Spec detector is incredibly exciting. Our development of Cluster-Columns© and a subsequent reference library will allow for cost effective hand-held devices to be used in front-line diagnostic and security applications to save lives. Something Mass Spec technology cannot do today.
Where do you see the company in 1-2 years?
I see the company as the premier supplier of MEMS chromatography columns and foremost provider of hand-held chromatography instruments. Zebra has the potential to change an industry that has only seen incremental modifications over the past several years. We imagine a world where chromatography systems are as common and familiar to people as the standard smoke detector.
Beyond Zebra, what are the advances across the analytical instrument industry that you expect to see emerging in the near future?
Smaller, multi-functioning, and energy efficient systems will continue to bring chromatography into new and non-conventional application areas such as personal security and rapid breath analysis for general health diagnosis. There are several new technologies that address this need by improving sensitivity and selectivity, which is crucial to chromatography. All of them rely on columns, the core technology for Zebra, so they will help to build our brand and market. The ability to detect threats and diagnose diseases will improve as these technologies advance into commercial scale products.
What are the current challenges of leading a technology-focused start-up and what solutions are employing?
Adoption of new technology is always a big challenge with innovation. Especially for scientists as they need proof, evidence, and data to compel them to change. Chromatographers are known for being finicky and superstitious, so we are being mindful of that and generating convincing data to validate our technology. These steps include extensive testing showing repeatable and reproducible results as well as substantiating robustness of our columns and instruments through repetitive operation. All of this will culminate in beta system evaluations at multiple assigned sites by the end of the year.