Nanosys Inc. and QuantuMDx Group (QMDx) today announced that QMDx has signed a non-exclusive license agreement with Nanosys for several patents and patent applications related to the use of nanowires for biosensors.
The core intellectual property involves the use of nanowire-based field effect transistors (FETs) as biosensors, which were derived from the work of Dr. Charles Lieber, a professor of chemistry at Harvard, a pioneer in nanotechnology, and one of the founders of Nanosys.
Under terms of the agreement, QMDx has secured worldwide rights for the use of nanowires for DNA sequencing and detecting biomarkers associated with disease. In exchange, Nanosys has received an upfront license fee and downstream royalty payments. No other financial details of the deal were disclosed.
While Nanosys owns an extensive IP portfolio around multiple aspects of nanotechnology including nanowire compositions, nanowire synthesis and the use of nanowires and other nanostructures for diverse applications, QMDx will bring its proprietary molecular biology and microfluidic technologies to bear on using nanowire based field effect transistors (FETs) as highly responsive sensors of biomolecules. The power of Lieber's technology is that it permits accurate diagnosis and quantification of multiple biomarkers using a small biosensor that lends itself to 'Palm Top' diagnostic devices.
QMDx plans to manufacture and sell devices that are formatted to provide fast, accurate and cost effective point-of-care (POC) diagnosis of disease. Furthermore, QMDx plans to develop its DNA sequencing technology with its nanowire biosensors, to enter the genome sequencing market and pioneer the handheld sequencing market.
"Rapid and sensitive biomarker detection, performed at the point of care, at an affordable price point and to standards usually only seen in the referral laboratory will revolutionize care pathways in the developed world and open up a whole new standard of diagnosis in emerging economies," said Elaine Warburton, chief executive officer of QuantuMDx Group Limited. "Whereas present rapid tests still require confirmation in centralized laboratories, our device will negate this need, therefore reducing health costs and significantly improving the care and experience a patient receives."
QuantuMDx Group Limited's chief scientific officer, Jonathan O'Halloran went on to say, "Our proprietary DNA sequencing technology represents a significant step change in the speed, accuracy and read lengths presently available with today's 'next-gen' sequencers. Our patented dual approach to sequence both in parallel and long read lengths, using low cost equipment, will provide the tools necessary for the genomic medicine era."
Andrew Filler, general counsel and vice president of intellectual property at Nanosys, commented, "We are pleased to add QMDx Group as the latest licensee to our broad and deep intellectual property around nanowires for biosensor devices. Through continued R&D and licensing efforts, Nanosys is expanding the transformative applications of nanotechnology in the marketplace."