Lumora Ltd. and 3M have signed a joint development and licensing agreement, under which 3M will develop and sell nucleic acid test kits using Lumora’s BART technology.

Lumora specializes in the development of “robust, affordable and easy-to use molecular diagnostics systems,” based on its BART (Bioluminescent Assay in Real-Time) technology. BART is a reporter system for use with isothermal nucleic acid amplification technologies, and is used as a tool in molecular diagnostics. The company, founded in 2002 as a spin-out from the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge, operates from a dedicated, 6,100-sq.-ft. facility with capabilities that include bioinformatics, primer design, test optimization, test evaluation, protocol optimization, reagent stabilization and scale-up guidance.   

Lumora is seeking other collaborative development and licensing partners to bring its technology to market in industrial sectors and clinical in vitro diagnostic applications.