The University of Manchester (U.K.) Intellectual Property Limited (UMIP) — the university’s commercialization arm — has inked an exclusive license with Link Technologies Ltd. of Bellshill, Scotland, for “exciplex” technology developed at the university. Although detection of DNA by fluorescent labels is widely used, one challenge of these systems is to reduce the background fluorescent signal to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the assay. To address this problem, Ken Douglas, PhD, FRSC, honorary professor and director of U-Manchester’s Wolfson Centre for Rational Design of Molecular Diagnostics, and Elena Bichenkova, PhD, senior lecturer in medicinal chemistry, developed diagnostic probes using exciplexes, or excited-state complexes, which emit light as fluorescence at a longer wavelength. The university holds patents for the technology covering all major market areas. Under terms of the agreement, Link will produce and sell exciplex-based diagnostic reagents worldwide. The license also initiates a collaboration between the parties to develop the technology, with Link securing the rights to any IP arising from the partnership. Financial details were not disclosed.<\/p>\n