Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Nano-Terra and Merck extend nanomaterial development partnership

By Mass High Tech Staff

Nanotechnology firm Nano-Terra Inc. and German drug maker Merck KGaA have upgraded their product development partnership to a commercialization deal. Cambridge-based Nano-Terra helped co-develop Merck’s “printable electronics” using nanometer-sized materials and a soft lithography technique called micro-contact printing.

The extended agreement calls for Nano-Terra to create custom applications for new clients and to enhance the process further. The work will be performed at Nano-Terra’s research and production facilities in Cambridge.

The two companies will share global commercialization rights. The new agreement will now end in 2011; financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Merck’s North American business is run as EMD Chemicals Inc.

Founded in 2005, Nano-Terra develops what it calls “smart materials,” including ultra-thin electronic displays, fuel cells, sensors and solar power devices. Its co-founder, Harvard University professor George Whitesides, invented the firm’s technology.

In 2007, Nano-Terra entered into a similar, multiyear development and licensing agreement with 3M Co. of Minnesota. The cooperative agreement was aimed at helping 3M bring to market nano-scale materials and products developed using Nano-Terra’s molecular fabrication methods.