Dec 5 2003
pSivida Ltd have signed a licensing agreement with German research agency Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH to acquire rights in the use of porous silicon mirror technology.
Forschungszentrum have developed a porous silicon mirror which pSivida intend to commercialise in healthcare using newly acquired BioSiliconTM diagnostic technology from pSimedica.
pSivida have the exclusive rights to develop and commercialise a wide range of diagnostic applications using pSiMedica’s BioSilicon. BioSilicon mirrors are the first biodegradable surfaces to be created and are intended to dissolve harmlessly in the body over a period of time. The mirrors consist of tiny particles of silicon etched with a nanoscale pattern of pores making them extremely efficient light reflectors.
They have been designed for the early stage detection and monitoring devices for diseases such as cancer. This is achieved by the application of a selective tumour antibody.
Cancers such as prostate and colorectal release chemical markers into the bloodstream as they progress. These markers can be monitored using the porous silicon mirror particles and measuring the reflected light from a simple handheld low power laser.
For more information on materials for biomedical applications, click here.