A
company which has developed nanotechnology which
can sense individual molecules, and a company which
has developed non-contact sensors which can detect
and measure a variety of materials, are the 50th
and 51st companies to spin out from the University
of Oxford.
The companies, Oxford NanoLabs and Oxford RF Sensors,
have been set up to commercialise technology based
on Oxford University research, and have been spun
out by Isis Innovation, the technology transfer arm
of the University.
Oxford NanoLabs
Oxford
NanoLabs is developing a ‘Nanolab-on-a-chip',
which will initially be used to identify markers
for heart disease, but has a range of applications
in detecting particular molecules. The method is
sensitive enough to measure individual molecules
and to detect different types of molecules. Applications
include the detection of ionic pollutants in drinking
water, agents of bioterrorism, and biological markers
in blood for critical diseases.
The
sensor is based on a hollow protein ‘nanopore'
placed in a thin membrane. When the molecule to be
detected binds to the nanopore, a drop in electrical
signal is measurable. By modifying the protein different
types of molecule can be detected.
The method was invented by Professor Hagan Bayley,
Professor of Chemical Biology at Oxford University,
and the company is spun out of the Chemistry Department.
After the initial applications for heart disease,
further developments will concentrate on the detection
of other disease markers (including defects in DNA
for development of personalised medicine) and agents
used in bio-terrorism.
CEO
Dr Gordon Sanghera said: ‘The Nanopore technology
has the potential to revolutionise the way in which
we use sensors in the diagnosis of medical diseases;
furthermore the platform will have wide-ranging applications
for the detection of low levels of species such as
agents of bioterrorism.'
Oxford RF Sensors
Oxford RF Sensors has developed novel non-contact
sensors which can detect and measure a variety of
materials including metals, plastics, gases and liquids.
The sensors have a very high sensitivity, operate
across a wide temperature and frequency range, and
are highly resilient to dirt, dust and oil contamination.
The company is a spin-out from the Physics Department.
Its underlying science and patented intellectual
property has been developed over many years by Dr
John Gregg, who researches the novel physical properties
of nano-scale magnetic systems and is a world expert
on spin electronics.
Oxford
RF Sensors' technology has already been incorporated
into a product for monitoring turbochargers. CEO
Ross Walker said: ‘Our highly sensitive and robust
sensors are already attracting a great deal of industry
interest. We have initial customers on board and
are in the advanced stages of signing up more.'
Both
spin-outs are launched in co-operation with IP2IPO,
the AIM-quoted company which specialises in commercialising
university intellectual property. Under a groundbreaking
deal made in November 2000, in return for a £20m donation towards state-of-the-art
chemistry laboratories, IP2IPO is entitled to a share
of the University's equity entitlement in spin-out
companies from the Chemistry Department until 2015.
In November 2003, IP2IPO created a £5 million
seed capital fund for investing in spin-out companies
across the University of Oxford, not just those originating
within the Chemistry Department.
More information:
Oxford NanoLabs: Gordon Sanghera, 07768 783 089
Oxford RF Sensors: Ross Walker, 0780 1371633
IP2IPO: David Norwood, CEO, 020 7489 5200
Press Office, Oxford University: 01865 280532
Isis Innovation: Cynthia Warmington, 01865 280837
Notes
- Oxford NanoLabs has appointed Dr Gordon Sanghera
as Chief Executive Officer. Dr Sanghera has a strong
background in novel diagnostic technology, having
been a key player in the development of Medisense's
glucose testing strip. Combined with a highly successful
career as Research Director at Abbott, Dr Sanghera
has strong expertise in the delivery of such novel
diagnostics to the marketplace.
- Oxford RF Sensors has appointed Ross Walker as
Chief Executive Officer. Mr Walker has previously
been involved in the formation and management of
a number of successful technology start-up companies
and prior to this worked for NXT and QUAD Electroacoustics.
- IP2IPO is an intellectual property (IP) company
that specialises in commercialising university
technology. The Company was founded in 2001 and
listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange
plc in October 2003. IP2IPO's first partnership
was with the University of Oxford. See www.ip2ipo.com
- So
far nine new companies have been created as a
result of the University's partnership with IP2IPO,
described by the Financial Times as ‘a blueprint
for Universities everywhere': Inhibox; Pharminox;
Zyentia; Glycoform; ReOx; VASTOx; Oxford Medical
Diagnostics; and now Oxford NanoLabs and Oxford
RF Sensors
- IP2IPO Group plc has acquired a 44.25 per cent
stake in Oxford NanoLabs Limited. IP2IPO's stake
in Oxford NanoLabs is made up of a 5.25 per cent
interest received as a result of its long-term
agreement with the University of Oxford and a 39
per cent interest acquired as a result of a direct
investment.
- IP2IPO
Group plc has invested £470,000
in return for a 35.9 per cent equity interest in
Oxford RF Sensors Limited. It is the first spin-out
from the Oxford Physics Department in which IP2IPO
has invested.
- Isis
Innovation is the technology transfer company
of the University of Oxford, commercialising the
research generated by University researchers and
owned by the University. Isis Innovation was founded
in 1988, underwent an expansion period in 1997,
and is now one of the most successful university
technology transfer companies in the UK: the Lambert
report stated that ‘Oxford University had transferred
more IP to the market than perhaps any other university
in this country' (4.48) and ‘Oxford University's
Isis Innovation is one of the country's most prolific
technology transfer offices when it comes to agreeing
licensing deals' (4.48). See www.isis-innovation.com
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