Oxford Immunotec, a medical diagnostic company developing tests in the fields of infectious and immunological disease and Lophius Biosciences, a leader in the field of novel T-cell based diagnostic test systems, have signed agreements under which both companies will have access to certain intellectual property from the other party.

Oxford Immunotec will be able to develop and commercialize novel T-cell based assays using Lophius’ proprietary UREA technology in certain territories. Lophius Biosciences will be able to develop and commercialize novel T-cell based assays under a license to Oxford Immunotec's proprietary T-SPOT technology. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dr Peter Wrighton-Smith, CEO, Oxford Immunotec commented, “We believe that Lophius’ UREA technology has distinct advantages over conventional methods of designing and producing antigens for T-cell based diagnostic test systems. We are looking forward to combining Lophius’ technology with our own, to develop and launch innovative new assays for infectious and immunological disease.”

“We are very pleased with this partnership with Oxford Immunotec, a leading company in the development of T-cell based assays, which provides us access to the T-SPOT technology. This cooperation also confirms the commercial potential of our proprietary UREA technology platform which led to recent successful development of two CE-marked tests, namely T-Track CMV and T-Track EB,” said Dr Michael Lutz, managing director of Lophius Biosciences.