DxS and Epigenomics signed a technology cross-licensing agreement, which means both companies can now develop and commercialize DNA methylation-based in vitro diagnostics (IVD) utilizing DxS’ real-time PCR technology, Scorpions®. The companies will also be able to sublicense the products licensed from the other party.
The new deal results from a license and option agreement signed in January 2008. The original arrangement gave Epigenomics nonexclusive rights to use the Scorpions technology for R&D of research kits and an option to expand the license to the IVD field. It also gave DxS an option for a worldwide nonexclusive research and IVD license to specific Epigenomics IP covering the use of Scorpions technology for DNA methylation applications.
Licensing the Scorpions technology for IVD use complements the Epigenomics’ technology portfolio for DNA methylation analysis, notes Geert Nygaard, CEO. “This expands our freedom to operate and gives us maximum flexibility in the final product design and testing platforms for cancer molecular diagnostic products directly commercialized by ourselves as well as by our partners.”