Jul 13 2007
Arrowhead Research Corporation announced today that its majority-owned subsidiary, Unidym, has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Battelle, a global science and technology enterprise that develops and commercializes technologies. Under the alliance agreement, Unidym and Battelle will explore opportunities to leverage their respective capabilities to commercialize nanotube-based products. Battelle will also have the option of investing up to $2 million in Unidym’s next round of financing.
“Arrowhead is pleased to be working with an organization with the global standing, technical expertise and product development experience of Battelle,” stated Art Swift, President and CEO of Unidym. “Our partnership could facilitate more rapid commercialization of disruptive nanotube-based products in different industries.”
“Unidym is well positioned to commercialize carbon nanotubes in a broad range of markets,” explained Alex Kawczak, VP of Nanotechnology at Battelle. “The combination of Unidym’s IP portfolio and expertise in CNT production and CNT-based electronics combined with Battelle’s IP and experience in areas ranging from composite materials to fuel cells makes this a very powerful alliance.”
Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt added, “Battelle continues to invest in nanomaterials technology platforms that are designed to be coupled with innovation alliances that are market-driven. The strategic alliance with Unidym is an example of a multi-laboratory collaboration focused on developing and commercializing carbon nanotube-based products into high-value electroactive nanomaterials product-market segments.“
Unidym is a leader in the manufacture and application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a novel material with extraordinary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Unidym provides bulk materials, CNT-enabled products, and intellectual property to a wide range of customers and business partners. As a result of its recent merger with CNI, Unidym possesses a foundational patent portfolio that covers nearly every aspect of CNT manufacturing and processing as well as multiple product applications.
Unidym is focused on the electronics industry where its initial products include transparent electrodes for touch screens, flat panel displays, solar cells, and solid state lighting; electrodes for fuel cells; and thin film transistors for printable electronics. Unidym is also pursuing an aggressive, cross-industry partnership strategy to capture value from the wide ranging uses of CNTs. Unidym’s licensing program, technical expertise and manufacturing facilities can enable partners to rapidly develop CNT solutions for their specific applications.