FreezOpt™
Advanced cryopreservation technology designed to improve post-thaw cell viability while decreasing the costs of ground-breaking research
CRYOPRESERVATION PRODUCT
FreezOpt™
Superior Freeze-Thaw Performance
FreezOpt is our proprietary, optimized ice initiating system engineered to deliver exceptional viability, low post-thaw stress, and designed to support translational research and upstream process development for cell therapies. Enables consistent, high-quality preservation across diverse cell types.
Performance Data:
In rigorous benchmark testing, FreezOpt achieved:
- 96.7% viability vs 52.7% with conventional methods without controlled ice initiation
- 54.5% improvement in post-thaw survival
- Near doubling of viable cell recovery
FreezOpt has been shown to dramatically controls ice crystal formation, and maintains robust post-thaw cellular function, morphology, attachment efficiency, and function across multiple cell types—comparable to fresh, never-frozen cells.
Low Cytotoxicity
Controlled ice formation ensures consistency and opens potential to reduce need for DMSO
Fine Control
Precise management of thaw and recovery kinetics for optimal outcomes
Minimal Impact
Cells have been shown to maintain normal behavior and function post-thaw
Flexible & Scalable
Workflow friendly for streamlined high-throughput research across diverse cell types
What it is
FreezOpt is a 3mm x 5mm biocompatible insert to be placed in the cryovial. It is made from a proven biocompatible polymer (PDMS) and embedded with particles of SiO2 which serve as a trigger for controlled ice nucleation.
During cooling, the SiO2 initiates ice nucleation and ice then propagates throughout the extracellular space in the vial.
FreezOpt enables ice seeding at high subzero temperature.
Minimizes intracellular ice formation (IIF): Allows cells to dehydrate gradually, reducing lethal ice inside cells.
Reduces osmotic and mechanical stress: Prevents sudden freezing shocks.
Potentially enables lower DMSO concentrations – reducing cytotoxicity.
Potentially eliminates the need for serum: High post-thaw viability without fetal bovine serum, supporting xeno-free protocols.
Designed to deliver consistent outcomes: to Improve reproducibility across batches and cell types.
Published data:
Jiang, B., Li, W., Stewart, S., Ou, W., Liu, B., Comizzoli, P., & He, X. (2021).
Sand-mediated ice seeding enables serum-free low-cryoprotectant cryopreservation of human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Bioactive Materials, 6, 4377–4388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.04.025
Stewart, S., White, A., Ou, W., Liu, W., Nagashima, J., Songsasen, N., and He, X. Controlled ice nucleation with a sand-PDMS film device enhances cryopreservation of mouse preantral ovarian follicles. Journal of Medical Devices 2024; 18: 041007. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4066445
Simple Integration.
Transformational Results.
1 — Addition
Simply add FreezOpt in your cryovial—no equipment changes needed
2 — Freeze
Use your existing controlled-rate freezer or “Mr. Frosty” protocols
3 — Recover
Thaw and recover—dramatic gains have been observed across multiple cell types
Protecting Cells
Across the Research Pipeline
HOHCells’ technology is based on breakthrough research at the He Research Group’s Multiscale Biomaterials Engineering (MBE) Laboratory at the University of Maryland. The company holds a granted U.S. patent and multiple pending applications covering diverse technologies related to tools and methods to enhance and enable cell-based research.
Stem Cell
Research & Banking
Support high post-thaw recovery while maintaining cell identity and pluripotency
Cell & Gene
Research & Development
Enable scalable cryopreservation during early-stage development and process optimization
Biobanks &
Research
Repositories
Enhance consistency and viability for long-term storage of valuable research samples
Academic &
Industrial Research
Ensure reproducible sample quality across experiments and collaborators
Contract Research &
Process Development
Streamline workflows for high-throughput research and tech transfer readiness
Drug Discovery &
Preclinical Development
Preserve primary cells and engineered models critical to discovery efforts
Technical Details
Supported Cell Types
- Pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs, ESCs)
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
- Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs)
- Primary human cells
- Engineered cell lines
- Ovarian follicles
- Brain and liver organoids
- [List expanding through ongoing validation]
Storage & Handling
FreezOpt™ is shipped ready to use and can be stored at room temperature. Use standard sterile technique in a biosafety cabinet when preparing cells. FreezOpt is fully compatible with conventional cryovials, freezers, and liquid nitrogen storage. For best results, follow your standard cooling protocol and thaw rapidly at 37 °C before transferring cells into pre-warmed culture medium.
Compatibility
- Compatible with standard controlled-rate freezers
- Works with passive cooling devices (e.g., Mr. Frosty)
- Integrates seamlessly into existing SOPs
Formats Available
- 3 mm × 5 mm inserts deliver effective ice nucleation across a range of cryovial sizes—from <1 mL to >10 mL.
- Contact us for special formats or applications
Get Started
with FreezOpt
Order Now
FreezOpt is shipping and ready
Request Sample
Free evaluation samples for qualified labs
Bulk Orders & Partnerships
Manufacturing-scale solutions
Questions
FreezOpt™ is compatible with conventional cryovials, freezers, and liquid nitrogen storage. For best results, adhere to your normal protocol and thaw cells rapidly at 37°C before transferring them into pre-warmed culture medium.
Returns are accepted for up to 2 months from delivery. Returns require un-opened packaging and prior approval.
FreezOpt™ is designed to support a wide range of stress-sensitive cells and biological samples where ice formation dynamics can meaningfully impact post-thaw performance. Based on its physical mode of action and internal validation studies, FreezOpt™ is well-suited for use with mammalian cells (including primary cells, stem and progenitor cells, and differentiated cell types), organoids and 3D cultures, immune cells, and other delicate biological systems commonly used in research workflows. While FreezOpt™ has been evaluated across representative cell models, not all cell types or sample formats have been individually tested. Users are encouraged to perform application-specific validation when working with new or particularly sensitive cell systems.
FreezOpt™ is designed to integrate seamlessly with standard cryopreservation workflows and laboratory equipment. The product is compatible with commonly used cryovials and cryogenic containers, standard freezing media and cryoprotectants (including DMSO-based formulations), and widely adopted controlled-rate or passive freezing methods. FreezOpt™ does not require changes to established freezing protocols, media composition, or storage conditions, and can be incorporated into existing workflows without specialized equipment or training.
FreezOpt™ is supplied as an individual solid-state nucleation seed measuring approximately 3 mm × 5 mm. This compact format is compatible with a wide range of commonly used cryovial sizes and formats. FreezOpt™ performance is independent of sample volume, as the device is designed to initiate ice formation in a controlled manner rather than scale with vial size or fill volume. Each FreezOpt™ seed is provided ready for use and is sold in packages of 96 units, supporting standard laboratory workflows and batch processing. For applications requiring custom form factors or dimensions, please contact us to discuss availability.
Ready to double your cell recovery?
Join leading research institutions and biotech companies using FreezOpt to advance cell research development.