Latest nanotech investments, commercial agreements and rounds of finance.
October-November 2020
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded Eden Innovations Ltd and the University of Queensland (UQ) a ARC Linkage Research Grant worth A$376,518 (US$274,436), payable over three years, to help fund the development on a new production method for carbon nanotube- (CNT) enriched thermoplastic composites.
The new project aims to develop a method to produce novel drawn polymer fibers incorporating aligned carbon nanotubes within the polymer. The targeted outcomes of this project, if successful, will be a novel technology for making high strength and stiffness polymer fibers reinforced with Eden’s CNTs, expanding their potential use in thermoplastic composites.
The University of Stellenbosch (SU) technology transfer arm, has raised an investment of R26-million for SU spinout companies that are currently operating virtually. One of the new spin-outs is BioCODE, who are developing a two-in-one nanosensor that identifies disease risk in patients at an early stage, for example; the technology adopted at BioCODE can detect inflammatory biomarker levels from a drop of blood. Founded and created by Professor Resia Pretorius, the technology can be used by a medical practitioner and nurses in mobile clinics.
Scotland-based Integrated Graphene Ltd, has raised £3.1 million in a round of investment in the business, led by Edinburgh-based business angel syndicate, Archangels, with co-investment from Par Equity, Techstart Ventures and ESM Investments. Integrated Graphene has developed an innovative manufacturing process that enables the company to produce high performing, pure, 3D graphene (3DG) foam directly onto any surface, at room temperature and in seconds. The investment will be used by Integrated Graphene to fund equipment to demonstrate product performance at the next scale-up level and to significantly expand resource for commercialisation of its 3DG foam, Gii.
Nanollose Limited has made a $200,000 strategic investment to acquire a 20% holding in CelluAir, an Australian company developing an Advanced Filtration Technology (“AFT”) based on nanocellulose. Developed by Queensland University of Technology, the AFT has been developed and validated over a number of years, culminating in the filing of a patent application in July 2020. Capital from the Investment will be used to scale the AFT using off-the-shelf commercial equipment, in addition to commencing discussions with potential sales partners and distribution channels in Australia and internationally.
Indian company Sicora Technologies Private Limited has raised investment funding. The company develops antimicrobial nanocoatings.
Protective nanocoating company actnano raised $12M in a Series A funding round. Emerald Technology Ventures led the round and was joined by Material Impact, as well as Henkel Tech Ventures, GC Ventures America (PTT Global Chemical) and Ireon Ventures (Hellas Oil). The company’s wet Advanced nanoGuard™ (ANG) coatings can be applied directly on connectors, antennas, LEDs and high heat generating components, allowing electronic manufacturers to comprehensively safeguard their devices.
Nanobiotix, a commercial-stage French biotech developing nanoparticle therapies for cancer, filed with the SEC to raise up to $60 million in a US initial public offering. Nanobiotix is developing proprietary nanotechnology to transform cancer treatment by increasing the efficacy of radiotherapy.
