Tarsis Technology , a spin out from the University of Cambridge, has entered into a collaboration agreement with one of the world’s leading manufacturers of crop-protection products.

 The collaboration will research the use of Tarsis’ patent-pending technology to deliver chemical pesticides and fungicides in a more precise and controlled way.

 Tarsis was incorporated to develop and commercialise technology created by Dr David Fairen-Jimenez, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and University Lecturer, and his research team at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge. The technology is based on particles called metal-organic frameworks and has potential for a wide range of industrial applications.

The manufacturer will fund the entire research programme in return for exclusive rights to Tarsis’ intellectual property for a defined set of agrochemicals. Tarsis will be paid a royalty fee for any commercially viable products that result.

 Separately, Frontier IP has agreed to lend up to £150,000 to Tarsis to meet working capital requirements in return for equity options.  

 Tarsis Technology founder and director Dr David Fairen-Jimenez said: “We’re delighted a leading player in global agrochemicals is happy to demonstrate such a strong commitment to our novel technology.”Frontier IP Chief Executive Neil Crabb said:“We aim to bring industry and university spin-outs together at a very early stage in the commercialisation process. In that way, we ensure new technologies meet real-world demands and needs. This agreement is yet another sign our approach is beginning to pay off.”