Belgium’s VolitionRx is in-licensing protein-labeling technology from UK-based Innova Biosciences in a deal focused in part on the development of cancer diagnostics.
VolitionRx will be using Innova’s Lightning-Link® Biotin technology as part of its NuQ® epigenetic profiling research kits. More specifically, Volition will use Lightning-Link for the biotinylation of antibodies employed in its range of NuQ ELISA kits, which are marketed to investigators working on epigenetics and nucleosome research. In addition, the firm will also use Innova technology for the development of Nucleosomics®-based clinical tests, including a blood-based test for colorectal cancer.
“The addition of the Lightning-Link technology will help Volition to improve the accuracy of its test, whilst speeding up production of the research kits,” the firms said. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We’ve been really impressed with Innova’s products. Their biotin kit is simple to use and proved more durable than many competitors’ kits, and we’ve seen significant improvements in reproducibility since we started to use them regularly,” VolitionRx CSO Jake Micallef, Ph.D., said in a statement.
Added Innova Executive Director Andy Lane, M.D., Ph.D.: “Lightning-Link is increasingly being used by innovative diagnostic companies like VolitionRx to both maximize R&D output and to simplify the manufacturing process.”