February 26, 2009: Nanogen Inc., developer of molecular and rapid diagnostic products, has expanded its partnership with HandyLab Inc. by signing a licensing and supply agreement for use of the company’s proprietary Minor Groove Binder Probe technology and synthetic nucleic acid chemistries, including dyes and quenchers, for use in vitro diagnostic testing.
Under the licensing agreement, HandyLab receives a non-exclusive license to market, sell and distribute PCR test kits utilizing Nanogen’s patented technology for use on HandyLab’s Jaguar System and other HandyLab systems. Terms of the agreement include an upfront license fee and a commitment to supply HandyLab with Nanogen’s proprietary PCR products, according to a Nanogen news release.
The licensing agreement marks the expansion of an already established partnership. In 2008, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a $10.4 million, two-year contract to Nanogen for the development of a multi-analyte molecular diagnostic assay for influenza. The influenza test is being developed for use with the HandyLab microfluidic real-time PCR Raider instrument.