Harvard and Leica sign licensing agreement

Leica has signed a licensing agreement with Harvard University for use of its CARS microscopy technology.

Under the agreement, Leica will use Harvard’s CARS microscopy for its confocal microscopes.

Harvard states that the technology was originally developed in the lab Xiaoliang Sunney Xie’s lab, who is a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at the university.

Isaac T Kohlberg, chief technology development officer at the university, said that the technology has "far-reaching implications for biomedical research" adding that the agreement follows with the university’s plan to partner with the "best and most expert companies".

Martin Haase, managing director at Leica Microsystems, added: "We are excited about this collaboration and envision to jointly drive technology and product development for improved imaging capabilities of our clients in the life science research space.

"This type of collaboration is in full alignment with Leica Microsystems’ strategy of open innovation and will strongly foster commercialization of new and groundbreaking technologies."

Leica Microsystems specialises in high-tech, precision optical systems for microstructure analysis.

In related news Leica Microsystems recently added the Leica DM1000 LED to its DM series of microscopes for cytology, histopathology and other biomedical applications.