(Information sent by the signatory company)
Valencia, January 22, 2024.- The signing ceremony of the constitution of OpticalSens took place on January 9 at the Rectorate of the UV, in the presence of the rector of the UV, M.ª Vicenta Mestre, and of the rector of the UPV, José Esteban Capilla.
The entire scientific team and the business development team were present to stamp their signature on what will be the first interuniversity spinoff in the Valencian Community.
The scientific team made up of researchers of very high level and recognized prestige, where we can highlight the professor of Organic Chemistry at the UV, Margarita Parra, one of the hundred most influential women in Spain (according to Forbes magazine), and the professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the UPV, Ramón Martínez Máñez, King Jaume I Award for New Technologies. The business development team, as a public-private collaboration model, is in the hands of the technology transfer expert company TRL. In addition, the University of Valencia and the Polytechnic of Valencia (UV and UPV) will also be part of the partnership.
OpticalSens is the result of two doctoral theses aimed at providing tools, from science, to the fight against a serious problem of violation of the rights and freedom of vulnerable groups due to the use of chemical submission drugs. As the first results of detection of submission drugs using high-tech chemical sensors appeared, the interuniversity research group IDM (Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development) of the UV and the UPV, raised the idea of bring it to society in the form of a spinoff.
Within the technology transfer strategy that Spanish universities are developing as a whole, the UPV stands out for its historical commitment to contributing value and scientific knowledge to society through numerous initiatives, avenues of collaboration and training in knowledge of company. Likewise, the UV has been making a great effort in recent years to establish an efficient and solid transfer model that maximizes the success of spinoffs. In this framework, the opportunity arises to combine purposes, putting a lot of effort into the creation of the first interuniversity spinoff where, in addition, there is a commitment to public-private collaboration by incorporating TRL as an essential actor in expert business development.
Since its establishment, OpticalSens has faced great challenges. Mainly, finalize the development of the first submission drug sensors, both for personal use in leisure activities and for forensic use by security forces and the health care network.
The sensors developed by the IDM for the detection of chemical submission drugs use advanced technologies with different behavior. From liquid sensors that change color instantly when coming into contact with a contaminated drink sample, to solid sensors that appear fluorescent when impregnated with a drop of drink. In the medium term, the aim is to develop a multi-drug sensor so that, with a single application, it will be possible to know if the drink has been contaminated, either with scopolamline (burundanga), GHB (liquid ecstasy), MDMA, cannibal, ketamine, cathinones or any other.
The effectiveness of the sensors developed is very high and the specificity, that is, the degree of accuracy with the drug that is intended to be detected, is also very high. However, an essential factor in this type of sensors is that they are very fast (preferably immediate) and that they do not interrupt the drinking experience. These are the great challenges in terms of functionalities that this type of sensors have and with which great results are being achieved.
OpticalSens hopes to be able to contribute a sufficiently important grain of sand so that security forces and the health system have highly reliable sensors for the detection of these drugs in cases of forensic analysis in the event of completed attacks. On the other hand, they work hard so that society (Administration, leisure venues, event organizers, beverage manufacturers and distributors, etc.) exercise their share of corporate social responsibility and can protect the most vulnerable population from these attacks, since either with direct and early detection or by the simple fact of deterrence in the presence of this type of sensors. They pursue a “safe venue/space” seal for those events, venues or leisure spaces where moments of expansion and fun are enjoyed.
Its main objective is the prevention and deterrence of attacks with submissive drugs. They work to maximize the perception of being a company that makes high-level technology available to society, supported by a top-of-the-line scientific team.
Contact
Emisor: TRL PLUS, S.L.
Contact: Journalistic Office
Contact email: comunicados@prensaymedios.com
