Deal with GSK to obtain the worldwide rights to the intellectual property, equipment and know how related to piezoelectric crystal microbalance sensor system
Akubio, an acoustic detection company, has concluded a deal with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to obtain the worldwide rights to the intellectual property, equipment and know how related to GSK's piezoelectric crystal microbalance sensor system.
GSK Ventures (GSK's intellectual property based venture fund) selected Akubio following an active search for a company to commercialise the label-free technology and in return for the rights has taken an equity stake in Akubio.
The GSK system is complementary to Akubio's Rupture Event Scanning (Revs) and Resonant Acoustic Profiling (Rap) system, and will allow increased sensitivity and improved performance of the acoustic resonator, central to Akubio's technology.
Revs uses sensitive acoustic technology to detect the sound of bonds breaking as molecules are shaken off a vibrating resonator.
In Rap this is coupled with fluid delivery systems to allow the sensitive and rapid detection of analytes in a complex fluid in real time, without the need for the radio-, enzymatic or fluorescent labels used currently.
The agreement includes the assignment of two pending patent applications, in the USA, Europe, and other selected countries.
John Pritchard, CEO of Akubio, said: "GSK's system is a perfect complement to our founding label-free technologies and this acquisition strengthens and widens our IP position.
"The fact that GSK selected Akubio as its partner to commercialise this technology is a testament to our leading position in acoustic detection technology.
"This technology presents significant advantages over currently available small molecule sensing techniques".
