UB Invests In Technology to Modify Nonstick Surfaces

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo, through the SUNY Research Foundation, has granted an exclusive license for specific markets to INMEDTEC, Inc. to commercialize technology developed and patented by researchers at UB.

UB officials today signed an exclusive license agreement with officials of INMEDTEC under the terms of which the university will hold an equity position in, and receive royalty payments from, INMEDTEC.

The technology was developed and patented by Joseph A. Gardella, Ph.D., professor of chemistry at UB, and Terrence G. Vargo, Ph.D., former research fellow at UB, now director of biochemical research at La Valle University in Quebec and INMEDTEC's director of research.

It allows the surface of selected fluoropolymers, such as Teflon, to be modified so that specific materials can adhere to them, be repelled by them or pass through them. The technology is expected to greatly expand the use of Teflon and other fluoropolymers in biomedical and other applications.

A nonstick material that is sticky in some places has long been seen as having tremendous applications, but until UB researchers and their colleagues developed their process, any methods that seemed to work ended up destroying the surface.

UB is licensing to INMEDTEC, a new start-up company, the exclusive right to develop the technology for three specific markets: industrial filtration and separation, medical diagnostics and biochemical catalysis and analysis.

INMEDTEC recently incorporated, and is searching for a site in Buffalo at which to locate its business. Its president and chief executive officer is Gregory E. Robinson; vice president and chief operating officer is George A. Berry.