Exiqon: new Link in supply chain

Denmark's Exiqon has signed up a new distribution partner for its locked nucleic acid (LNA) phosphoramidate reagents, used in genomics research. Scotland-based Link Technologies has licensed non-exclusive rights to distribute and market the LNA line in Europe.

LNA reagents take the form of proprietary nucleic acid analogues that can form building blocks for the creation of synthetic DNA oligonucleotides. Link already markets reagents for DNA synthesis, and Exiqon​ chief executive Lars Kongsbak said the new agreement would allow "researchers worldwide to very rapidly gain access to our LNA technology."​

Under the terms of the Exiqon agreement, Link​ will also collaborate with a US partner, Glen Research, to distribute the LNA amidite reagents in the USA.Link has been in the throes of a major expansion phase over the last couple of years, both through the development of proprietary reagents for DNA and RNA synthesis and through series of licensing deals.

Towards the end of last year, the company set up a research collaboration with the University of Strathclyde to design new synthetic routes for DNA minor-groove binders (MGBs), which have potential as research tools and potentially as novel antibiotics.

Meantime, Link is also working with the University of Southampton on the improved synthesis of support-bound oligonucleotides and their use in the capture of nucleic acid-binding proteins. These are primarily used to explore DNA-protein interactions. Also being developed is a photo-labile linker allowing cleavage of the DNA-protein complex from the support in an intact form.