Arrowhead
Research Corporation announced today that its
majority-owned subsidiary, Unidym, has signed a strategic alliance
agreement with Battelle, a global science and
technology enterprise that develops and commercializes technologies.
Under the alliance agreement, Unidym and Battelle will explore
opportunities to leverage their respective capabilities to
commercialize nanotube-based products. Battelle will also have the
option of investing up to $2 million in Unidym’s next round
of financing.
“Arrowhead is pleased to be working with an
organization with the global standing, technical expertise and product
development experience of Battelle,” stated Art Swift,
President and CEO of Unidym. “Our partnership could
facilitate more rapid commercialization of disruptive nanotube-based
products in different industries.”
“Unidym is well positioned to commercialize carbon
nanotubes in a broad range of markets,” explained Alex
Kawczak, VP of Nanotechnology at Battelle. “The combination
of Unidym’s IP portfolio and expertise in CNT production and
CNT-based electronics combined with Battelle’s IP and
experience in areas ranging from composite materials to fuel cells
makes this a very powerful alliance.”
Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt added,
“Battelle continues to invest in nanomaterials technology
platforms that are designed to be coupled with innovation alliances
that are market-driven. The strategic alliance with Unidym is an
example of a multi-laboratory collaboration focused on developing and
commercializing carbon nanotube-based products into high-value
electroactive nanomaterials product-market segments.“
Unidym is a leader in the manufacture and application of
carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a novel material with extraordinary
electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Unidym provides bulk
materials, CNT-enabled products, and intellectual property to a wide
range of customers and business partners. As a result of its recent
merger with CNI, Unidym possesses a foundational patent portfolio that
covers nearly every aspect of CNT manufacturing and processing as well
as multiple product applications.
Unidym is focused on the electronics industry where its
initial products include transparent electrodes for touch screens, flat
panel displays, solar cells, and solid state lighting; electrodes for
fuel cells; and thin film transistors for printable electronics. Unidym
is also pursuing an aggressive, cross-industry partnership strategy to
capture value from the wide ranging uses of CNTs. Unidym’s
licensing program, technical expertise and manufacturing facilities can
enable partners to rapidly develop CNT solutions for their specific
applications.