SLINTEC partners MagGenome Technologies, India to develop techniques in DNA extraction

Standing from the left: SLINTEC Head of Business Development Dr. Lakshitha Pahalagedara, SLINTEC Head of Technology Transfer Rangika De Silva, MagGenome Scientist Dr. Aniruddha Bhati, MagGenome Chief Executive Officer Dr. C. N. Ramchand, SLINTEC Senior Research Scientist Dr. Prasanga Manthilaka, SLINTEC Scientist Sandun Dissanayake and SLINTEC Executive Technology Transfer Navindra Keerthisinghe

Signing of the memorandum of understanding by SLINTEC Chief Executive Officer Harin de Silva Wijeyeratne (center) and MagGenome Technologies Chief Executive Officer Dr. C. N. Ramchand (right) in the presence of SLINTEC Chief of Process and Engineering Systems Mr. Ananda Hettiarachchi (left)

Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MagGenome Technologies Ltd., India on 8 March to conduct co-development on nanoparticles-based techniques in DNA extraction.

Through this partnership with SLINTEC, MagGenome Technologies plans to enter into the Sri Lankan market with DNA extraction kits which are integrated with nanotechnology-based components developed at SLINTEC. According to the MoU, SLINTEC will further engage in research and co-development activities related to genomics and therapeutics with MagGenome Technologies.

SLINTEC is a public-private partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and major players in the private sector; namely MAS Holdings, Brandix, Dialog, Hayleys, Loadstar, Lankem and most recently LOLC. SLINTEC is the pioneer in nanotechnology based research in Sri Lanka and is equipped with the state of the art facility and expertise in nanotechnology and advanced materials.

MagGenome Technologies Ltd. is primarily focused on the development of magnetic nanoparticles based products. The company has developed and patented several technologies like DNA extraction under the brand name ‘XpressDNA’ and affinity resins under the brand name ‘XpressAffinity’. MagGenome will also focus on other applications of magnetic nanoparticles in near future for providing solutions in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, engineering and environmental remediation.