As we approach 2025, we give thanks for a remarkable 2024. From celebrating 25 years of innovation to broadening our global reach, this year has been marked by growth, local engagement, and meaningful connections with our customers around the world.
Honoring 25 Years of FlowCam
This year marked the 25th anniversary of Fluid Imaging Technologies, a milestone we celebrated with a memorable gala and a look back at our journey from a small startup to a company with global impact. This anniversary reminds us of the profound impact FlowCam has had on aquatic and biopharmaceutical research and how it continues to push boundaries. Learn more about FlowCam's legacy and evolution in our 25th Anniversary Retrospective.
Advancing Aquatic and Biopharmaceutical Research
This year, our technology played a pivotal role in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges:
- Biopharmaceutical Applications: FlowCam's role in subvisible particle monitoring for novel medicines like gene therapies, cell therapies, and organoids was a major focus this year. Whether helping to meet USP standards for subvisible particulate matter or advancing the development of AAV therapies, FlowCam is making a significant impact.
- Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring: With the growing prevalence of HABs, FlowCam has become a key tool for comprehensive monitoring. Our collaboration with researchers highlights how FlowCam is advancing the understanding of these complex events. Dive into our blog post to read case studies describing FlowCam's role as a breakthrough technology in HAB monitoring, or watch a recent webinar presented by our customer at Passaic Valley, "Using Flow Imaging Microscopy to Build Phytoplankton & HAB Community Composition Profiles Impacting Water Supplies".
- Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Research: From imaging phytoplankton communities impacted by meteorological changes to aiding zooplankton studies aboard research vessels, FlowCam continues to enhance our understanding of aquatic ecosystems.
Strengthening Connections Through Customer Engagement
In 2024 we prioritized building deeper relationships by meeting our customers where they are—both figuratively and literally. Our team traveled extensively to visit customer sites, providing hands-on training, technical support, and tailored solutions to meet unique challenges. These on-site collaborations not only strengthened partnerships but also helped us better understand the specific needs of those using FlowCam technology in diverse applications.
We were also excited to meet many of you at key conferences and events worldwide. From engaging in discussions at the 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting and ASLO 2024 to presenting research at biopharmaceutical conferences such as the annual meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy and AAPS's PharmSci 360 conference, these gatherings provided valuable opportunities to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate on advancing particle analysis solutions.
In October, the 12th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae was hosted here in Maine, and we welcomed a group of our aquatic science customers (pictured above) to our headquarters for a tour and a productive sharing of ideas. Whether at your facilities, our offices, or global events, these moments of collaboration continue to drive innovation and build lasting partnerships. We look forward to creating even more opportunities to connect in 2025!
Local Impact: Stewarding Maine’s Lakes and Inspiring the Next Generation
Closer to home, FlowCam contributed to the stewardship of Maine's lakes. Customers 7 Lakes Alliance and the Lakes Environmental Association used FlowCam to provide essential data to support land and water management.
Supporting STEM education and local life science initiatives also remain core priorities for us. In 2024, we continued our collaboration with the Bioscience Association of Maine and Educate Maine, partnering with the Maine Mobile BIOLAB to bring hands-on life sciences education to middle school students. This exciting partnership helps inspire the next generation of scientists and fosters curiosity about the natural world. Learn more about the Mobile BIOLAB’s mission and its impact on students in our blog story.
Empowering Global Collaboration Through Training
At our headquarters in Maine, we hosted multiple training sessions and collaborative workshops. These events brought customers and researchers together to share insights, refine their FlowCam techniques, and learn about the latest advancements in flow imaging microscopy.
FlowCam University continued to thrive as a hub for learning and collaboration and has become a vital resource for building FlowCam expertise. And in June and November, we hosted our global FlowCam service partners for intensive training courses to improve their knowledge and tools to better serve their customers.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we step into 2025, we are excited to build on the momentum of this landmark year. Our team is already working on next-generation innovations, while our customer engagement initiatives, like FlowCam University, continue to expand.
We thank all our customers, partners, and colleagues for their contributions to a successful 2024. Your support inspires us to keep innovating, collaborating, and making an impact globally and locally.
Here’s to another transformative year ahead. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!