Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

REQUEST # 67677

Technologies for Isolating Albumin from Aqueous Solution

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

NineSigma, representing a multi-billion dollar food manufacturer, invites proposals for highly efficient and low-cost technologies for isolating albumin from aqueous solutions resulting from the processing of cereals. Requirements for Technology:

Evidence or reason that albumin can be isolated from aqueous solution (it is acceptable that other water-soluble proteins remain)

Should be reusable or low-cost Information about the albumin and aqueous solution:

Albumin: ○ Molecular weight: approximately 12 kDa ○ Solubility: soluble in water ○ Thermal stability: denatures at

approximately ≥ 90°C

Aqueous solution: ○ A suspension, but impurities can be

removed by preprocessing ○ Albumin concentration: 0.03% ○ Contents: water (≥ 95%), carbohydrates

(several %), insoluble or water-soluble proteins (several %), minerals (several %)

BACKGROUND

The client, a foods/functional foods manufacturer, is trying to re-use various by-products from their processes. In particular, albumin is a soluble protein derived from cereal, and it has been used as a health food for its effect in lowering blood sugar levels. Therefore, it would be very significant if it could be efficiently recovered from by-products. In order to recover albumin from aqueous solution, the client has designed a purification process that uses alginic acid, a type of polysaccharide thickener, as part of the production process. In the current process, however, after the albumin has been trapped with alginic acid, it is necessary to recover the alginic acid attached with albumin and desorb the albumin from the alginic acid by using salt. Therefore, these steps are one major factor that leads to high cost. The client has issued this open request in order to simplify or reduce the cost of this process as a way of trying to lower the cost of the entire manufacturing process. To solve this problem, a wide variety of technical approaches are anticipated, such as protein-purification technologies in the pharmaceutical field, recycling technologies for processing sludge, and the use of alginic acid derivatives that have been developed for various purposes.

RESPONSE DUE DATE: November 21, 2011

(click buttons above)

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 Timeline

Feasibility validation: about half year Completion of development: 1~2 year Financials

Up to US$100,000 per year (details to be discussed)

NineSigma Request # 67677 Technologies for Isolating Albumin from Aqueous Solution Page 2

Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com

ANTICIPATED APPROACHES

Anticipated approaches include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

Ion-exchange resins

Albumin-specific affinity ligands

Alginic acid solidification

Other polysaccharide thickeners (carrageenan, pectin, guar gum, etc.)

APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST

The following approaches will not be considered:

Ultrafiltration, molecular sieves, etc. ANTICIPATED COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS

Anticipated researchers or organizations for collaboration include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

Researchers who have purification technologies for human serum albumin

Researchers who have developed resin materials using alginic acid

Engineers who have used alginic acid for purposes such as sludge or biomass processing

ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN

The client will review proposals and key publications. They may ask clarifying questions before selecting suitable candidates for collaboration. Once candidates are selected, the client will execute non-disclosure agreements (NDA) if necessary, seek further information disclosure, and discuss possible development 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/_layouts/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

RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST

NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE

By submitting a Response you represent that the Response does not and will not be deemed to contain any confidential information of any kind whatsoever. Your Response should be an executive summary (about 3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the technical approach and provide information on technology performance, background, and description of the responding team and their related experience. A Response Template is available from our website. By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of the Responses received for this announcement. NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine all award amounts.

RESPONSE EVALUATION

NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the

following criteria:

Overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach

Approach to proof of concept or performance

Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable)

Economic potential of concept

Respondent’s capabilities and related experience

Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates

The client will contact respondents with highly responsive proposals for next steps.