Commercialization of Fruits of University-Industry Research Collaboration
Establishment of New Company for Inspecting Agents and Diagnostic Materials

Chisso Corporation (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Shunichi Okada) will establish a business corporation "Magnabeat Incorporated" in collaboration with professor Akihiko Kondo of Kobe University, Faculty of Engineering, with respect to thermo-responsive magnetic nanoparticles as fruits of research collaboration with Kobe University.

Magnabeat Inc. will conduct sales of thermo-responsive magnetic nanoparticles (trade name: Therma-Max), and simultaneously perform market developments, application developments, technical user supports and developments of inspection and diagnosis systems, or diagnostic materials under co-operation with Kobe University, Chisso Corporation, and Chisso Petrochemical Corporation as a subsidiary of Chisso Corporation.

Chisso has participated in the original high performance material creation technical project of NEDO since 1996, launched development of advanced stimulus response materials, started research and developments with Professor Kondo, Kobe University in 2000, and developed "Therma-Max."

In magnetic beads having a particle size of several microns used for diagnostics, etc. in the past, when the particle size is decreased, molecular recognition properties are improved. However, when the size becomes hundreds of nm or less, magnetism of the beads becomes weaker, and thus such a dilemma is produced that separation by magnets becomes very difficult. The thermo-responsive magnetic nanoparticles developed by Chisso and Professor Kondo, having a particle size of 100 nm level, or approximately 1/30 or less, compared to conventional magnetic beads, are completely dispersed without precipitating in an aqueous solution. Moreover, the fine magnetic nanoparticles are rapidly coagulated by changing temperatures of the aqueous solution, and thus separation by magnets can be attained while maintaining the high molecular recognition properties. Wide applications are expected in assaying and analyzing genes and proteins, further as function separation materials enabling to perform antigen and antibody diagnosis and inspection of endocrine-disrupting substances with high sensitivity in a short period of time.

Features of the thermo-responsive magnetic nanoparticles "Therma-Max" are highly evaluated to win the "Highest Award of BIOBUSINESS COMPETITION JAPAN" in 2004, and furthermore the "Material Category Award of ORGANOTECHNO Award" in "ORGATECHNO 2005" held in July, this year. Moreover, "Therma-Max" is highly appreciated also from outside of the company, such that proposals are provided for business plans on commercialization of this unique technology by the "KANSAI Bio Business Study Group" comprised of patent attorneys, lawyers and accountants, in process of establishment of this new company.

Chisso will further promote research and developments in the fields of nano-biotechnology as an integrated field of nanotechnology and biotechnology, and aim at broadly commercializing in various diagnosis and medical fields including distributions of "Therma-Max" through Magnabeat Inc.