Xenometrix (XENO) technology:
From their recent quarterly report, this is the technology they have:
The Company's core technology relates to eukaryotic and bacterial gene profiling assays and genotoxicity assays. This
technology is comprised of multiple patents and patent applications, some of which are owned directly by Xenometrix
and others exclusively licensed from Harvard University, the University of California at Berkeley and other entities. The
exclusive license agreements cover five U.S. and five foreign patents that have been issued and certain additional patent
applications.
The Company has obtained an exclusive worldwide license to one issued U.S. patent, two issued foreign patents and
several patent applications that relate to methods and kits for generating gene profiles by exposing eukaryotic cells
(including human, animal and yeast cells) to compounds and then determining levels of expression of multiple genes in
the cells.
The Company has obtained an exclusive worldwide license to two issued U.S. patents, two issued foreign patents and
several patent applications that relate to methods and kits for generating gene profiles using bacterial promoters fused to
reporter genes.
The Company has also obtained a worldwide exclusive license to one issued U.S. patent, one issued foreign patent and
several patent applications for a microbiological system for the detection and identification of mutagens. This technology
is a modification and improvement over the widely accepted Ames assay.
In addition, the Company has an exclusive worldwide license under one issued patent and an additional patent
application covering a process for detecting potential carcinogens by monitoring deletions in the yeast genome.
From the same report, Xenometrix is in dismal financial shape with accumulated debts, loans on which they are close to default and expiring employment contracts. Looking at what is possibly a similar Xenometrix license to Aurura, I expect this technology cost AFFX less than $1 million and is probably something they need to practice something. AFFX seems to have been diligent in lining up legal rights to technology. |
