Acquisition Enables Full Patent Enforcement for Corning(R) Epic(R) System
CORNING, N.Y., Aug. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) announced on August 15, 2007 that it has acquired from Oerlikon (SWX: OERL), one of the world’s most successful industrial high-tech companies focusing on machine and systems engineering, the worldwide exclusive rights to U.S. Patent 5,738,825 and its foreign counterparts, which cover microplate-based optical biosensors. Corning had previously acquired a joint ownership right in the patent from Artificial Sensing Instruments, AG of Switzerland as part of a broader technology exchange. By acquiring these exclusive rights in the patent from Oerlikon, Corning will not only have the right to continue to practice the technology disclosed, but will now also have the full right to enforce the patent.
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The patent is related to Corning’s Epic(R) system, a high-throughput label-free detection platform that consists of a SBS-standard 384-well microplate with optical sensors and a HTS-compatible microplate reader capable of reading up to 40,000 wells per 8 hours. The Epic system enables biochemical (small and large molecule binding) and cell-based assays, and has been deployed at both pharmaceutical and academic institutions.
"We are pleased to expand our portfolio of enforceable patents as we continue to invest in this exciting commercial opportunity," stated Dr. Jeff Mooney, commercial technology director for Corning Life Sciences.
About Oerlikon
Oerlikon stands for leading industrial solutions and cutting-edge technology in textile production, thin film coating, propulsion, precision and vacuum technology. As a company with Swiss roots and a 100-year tradition, Oerlikon, with CHF 4.8 billion in sales and over 19,000 employees at 170 locations in 35 countries, has evolved into a global player today. The group is ranked first or second in each of its respective markets.
About Corning Incorporated
Corning Incorporated ( http://www.corning.com/ ) is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 150 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy and metrology.
