Hamamatsu and Vizgen partner on immunofluorescence imaging

05 Jun 2025

MoxiePlex platform will assist translation of multiplex methods into research use.

Hamamatsu Photonics of Japan and Massachusetts-based Vizgen have announced a strategic partnership intended to speed up research laboratory workflows.

The collaboration will in particular aim to integrate Hamamatsu's MoxiePlex multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) imaging system with Vizgen's pathology-grade reagent and assay portfolio.

The goal is to bring multiplexed biomarker detection into new translational and clinical research applications, said the companies.

Currently available to research markets only, MoxiePlex can carry out 9-color imaging with high throughput capacity on up to 60 slides per run. This means that precise visualization of proteins on cancer and immune cells can be carried out, for example within the microenvironment of a tumor.

Hamamatsu has indicated that the platform may at some future point be developed for clinical applications, especially in areas like immunotherapy response profiling.

Vizgen specializes in spatial genomics, in which the spatial location of genomic sequences is visualized along with their phenotypic characteristics, so as to understand better how both genetic and environmental factors combine to influence a tumour's progression.

The company's technology includes its multiplexing in situ hybridization (MISH) approach, in which unique probes labelled with different fluorophores allow the simultaneous detection of multiple RNA targets within a single sample. Vizgen also markets the Merscope fluorescence imaging platform, intended to view up to 1000 custom genes at single-cell resolution.

Vizgen announced a restructuring in March 2024 while a patent dispute was ongoing with Harvard University, the institution from which Vizgen was itself originally spun out. The dispute was ultimately settled in April 2025. The restructuring included a merger with tissue-labeling specialists Ultivue, described at the time as "a pivotal moment in the evolution of spatial multiomics," technology now mentioned by name in the Hamamatsu collaboration.

Bringing advanced imaging closer to clinics

"Partnerships like this are essential to push the field of multiplex immunofluorescence forward and bring advanced imaging technologies closer to clinical relevance," said Toshimichi Ishizuka, Director of the Systems Division at Hamamatsu Photonics. "By integrating our hardware with Ultivue's versatile chemistry, we're offering a solution that's not only powerful but practical for real-world use."

The collaboration will put together the MoxiePlex multiplex fluorescence technology with InSituPlex, Vizgen's proprietary sample preparation technique in which a mixture of antibodies are "barcoded" with short DNA sequences and bound to a desired array of antigens, after which fluorescent probes are attached to those barcodes.

Among the first use cases for this integrated solution is the deployment of multiplex immunofluorescence panels for clinically research on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens.

"Through uniting competencies in automated imaging and protein assay engineering, we can deliver sample-to-answer insights and together serve more customers in their science," commented Rob Carson, Vizgen CEO.