Monday, January 5, 2009

EnviroLogix, Ionian in licensing deal

By Mass High Tech staff

EnviroLogix Inc., a Portland, Maine-based developer of immunoassays, has closed an exclusive license and technology transfer agreement with Ionian Technologies Inc., a California-based molecular diagnostics firm.

The deal calls for EnviroLogix to claim exclusive worldwide development, manufacturing and sales rights to tests that incorporate Ionian’s nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR) technology. The tests detect DNA and RNA in genetically modified seeds and plants.

Currently, transgenic protein detection may rely on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which the companies report as taking up to 60 minutes and potentially unable to detect low levels of antibodies. In contrast, NEAR technology can conduct a test in less than 10 minutes, company officials say.

Founded in 1996, EnviroLogix also has developed assays to detect mold, algal toxins, mycotoxins, pesticides and plant pathogens.