New ways to access RAFT technology

The developers of Reversible Addition Fragmentation-chain Transfer (RAFT) technology, CSIRO and DuPont, have enhanced their technology transfer and licensing program to enable companies to more easily access the technology.

RAFT technology has transformed polymer research and development and has already enabled the development of a number of new materials featuring improved performance and functionality.

Now CSIRO and DuPont have accelerated their technology transfer and licensing program for RAFT with companies able to access the technology in three ways:

• The RAFT Label License for early-stage research and development enables partners to purchase RAFT agents from chemical supply houses - Sigma Aldrich, Strem and Monomer Polymer - to perform basic RAFT polymerisation for their own research and evaluation.
• The RAFT Research License for mid to late-stage research and development facilitates broader use of the RAFT technology by providing access to a wider range of RAFT patents and agents, enabling partners to use the RAFT technology in collaboration with others, and is a stepping stone to obtaining a commercial licence.
• The Commercial RAFT License for late-stage research and commercial use is available to partners seeking commercial rights to exploit the RAFT technology. CSIRO and DuPont have granted both exclusive and non-exclusive rights in various fields of endeavour.

“RAFT is a truly enabling technology allowing for the development of a wide range of new materials for many different applications including: biomedical, coatings, lubricants, industrial polymers, personal care and cosmetics, and electronics,” says CSIRO Commercial Manager Megan Fisher.

According to Managing Director DuPont Intellectual Assets & Licensing Business Charles D Murray, the company believes the RAFT technology offers a major improvement to current commercial polymerisation techniques.

“By broadening licensing rights for both RAFT research and commercial activities, we can team with interested companies and realise commercial licensing value as those companies identify and take advantage of significant commercial opportunities RAFT technology can deliver,” Murray said.

RAFT technology is a living radical polymerisation process that allows unprecedented control of molecular weight and polymer structure to enable users to tailor polymer properties.