Midatech granted US patent for nanoparticle technology
The Oxford-based Midatech Group, a specialist in the production of synthetically produced nanoparticles, has been granted a US patent protecting its novel nanoparticle technology.
The Oxford-based Midatech Group, a specialist in the production of synthetically produced nanoparticles, has been granted a US patent protecting its novel nanoparticle technology.
The US Patent Office has allowed 121 claims on the patent US09,622253. Equivalent patent applications have previously been granted in Australia (AU2001294068) and Europe (EP1326589B).
The patent covers the single-step process for the self-assembly of nanoparticles that contain a central core of a noble metal surrounded by a corona of biologically relevant ligands. Such nanoparticles have a range of characteristics that make them suitable for applications in targeted drug delivery and diagnostic imaging. Superparamagnetic properties also allow for thermal heating and subsequent cell apoptosis upon application of an alternating radiofrequency electromagnetic field.
"The grant of this patent represents the cornerstone of Midatech's nanotechnology IP portfolio and positions Midatech as the world leader
in the development of nanoparticles for nanomedicine", said professor Tom Rademacher, chairman of Midatech Group.
The company's nanoparticles are currently being used in a number of projects including targeted drug delivery for specific diseases, oncology, siRNA delivery, targeted cell killing (through radiofrequency heating), synthetic vaccine construction and medical imaging.