The University of Valencia (UV) and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) have set up the first joint spin-off, Optical Sens SL, which will market chemical submission drug detection sensors and senescence sensors.
This is the first inter-university spin-off that arises from the Inter-University Institute of Molecular Recognition Research and Technological Development (IDM) in collaboration with TRL, dedicated to the cogeneration of spin-offs originating in the projects of research centers of the universities thanks to the union of professional business teams and researchers.
The constitution agreement has been signed by the rector of the UV, Mavi Mestre; the rector of the UPV, José E. Capilla, and the CEO of the company RTL, Luís Morró, along with the research partners.
The new spin-off of the UV and the UPV aims to offer solutions with chemical sensors and biomarkers that meet the needs of the agri-food sector, health, hygienic-sanitary safety, the pharmacological sector and the chemical industry.
The entity begins its activity with chemical submission drug detection sensors and senescence sensors, but will work on the development of chemical sensors and biomarkers of high scientific and industrial value.
In this way, it is the first company to propose a technology that allows the detection of chemically induced drugs and that can be used at room temperature and by any user. The objective is to address the statistics that indicate that nearly 40% of sexual assaults occur by chemical submission, a fact that highlights "the need for sensors that enable the rapid detection of these substances."
Along these lines, Mavi Mestre has pointed out that this agreement is "proof of the relationship between the university and society through research and the generation of knowledge, which will improve people's quality of life."
Luís Morró, CEO of RTL, added that these tools "will allow citizens to enjoy leisure freely without the need to be aware of whether they may be the subject of a criminal act."
On the other hand, the senescence sensor that Optical Sens SL will make available to the clinical market and health research centers is "capable of offering information of high biomedical value on the state of cellular aging in vivo, that is, without the need for sacrifice research animals.
The rector of the UPV wanted to highlight the importance of the role of universities in the productive fabric of research and has stressed that educational institutions "have to work more deeply on the transfer of knowledge to society."
Optical Sens SL has as promoters research staff from the Interuniversity Research Institute of Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) with extensive and recognized experience in the research and development of chemical sensors and biomarkers such as Silvia Rodríguez, Salvador Gil, Ramón Martínez, Tania Mariel Godoy, Pablo Gaviña, Margarita Parra, Jordi Hernández, Pau Arroyo, José Antonio Sáez, Estela Climent, Eva María Garrido, Beatriz Lozano and Vicente Martí.
