DxS and Epigenomics AG have cross-licensed certain technologies, enabling them to develop and sell in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products, based on DNA methylation, that utilise DxS' Scorpions technology.
The cross-licensing follows a strategic agreement signed by both companies in January 2008.
Under the terms of this agreement, Epigenomics had obtained worldwide non-exclusive rights to DxS' Scorpions technology for research and development use and research kits, as well as an option to expand the licence to the in vitro diagnostics field.
In return, DxS received an option for a worldwide non-exclusive research and IVD licence to certain Epigenomics IP, covering the use of Scorpions technology for DNA methylation applications.
Both companies have now executed their options and have acquired the rights to sub-license their respective licensed technologies.
Dr Stephen Little, chief executive officer of DxS, said: 'Our Scorpions technology is ideally suited for IVD applications using real-time PCR instrumentation.
'The probes are highly sensitive sequence-specific molecules containing a PCR primer covalently linked to a probe.
'Scorpion probes can provide strong fluorescent signals, excellent sequence discrimination, short reaction times and predictable probe design.
'We believe that this technology is ideal for DNA methylation-based IVD products, particularly in oncology.' Geert Nygaard, chief executive officer of Epigenomics, said: 'With Scorpions technology we have complemented our broad technology portfolio for DNA methylation analysis.
'This expands our area of freedom to operate and gives us maximum flexibility in the final product design and testing platforms for cancer molecular diagnostic products directly commercialised by ourselves as well as by our partners.'
