UofA startup finalizes exclusive license agreement for chemical synthesis tech

In Arizona, University of Arizona startup company GlycoSurf has finalized an exclusive license agreement for a new chemical synthesis technology, which was created at the University of Arizona.

Prominent UA researchers Jeanne E. Pemberton and Robin Polt, both with the UA College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, along with Raina M. Maier of the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, and UA researcher Cliff Coss, originally developed the technology through the course of their research at the University, and it is now poised to enter the marketplace.

The technology involves a unique chemical synthesis of families of environmentally-friendly surfactants – also known as biosurfactants – which are non-toxic and biodegradable and used as “green” replacements for petroleum-based surfactants. Surfactants and biosurfactants are used in numerous industries including cosmetics and personal care products, as well as in environmental applications such as oil spill clean-ups.