1. 1 Optical Upconverting Nanoparticles for Biological Applications Alain Richard, Ph. D. Director, Commercialization Life Sciences Valeo Management L.P. Principal Investigator: John Capobianco, Ph.D. Concordia University

2. 2 Technology Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopy of upconverting lanthanide-doped NaYF 4 nanoparticles (NPs). Monodisperse cubic NaYF 4 NPs were synthesized via a thermal decomposition reaction. Other particles are available.

3. 3 Technology

4. 4 Competitive Advantages The synthetic method uses technical-grade solvents and ligands; no sophisticated equipment or complicated procedure needed. Produces highly luminescent and uniform NPs; (27.6 nm ± 1.6) The colloids of the lanthanide-doped NPs exhibit green/red and blue upconversion luminescence No background signal in biological samples No photobleaching NPs can be excited with a 980 nm laser diode with low power densities (low cost)

5. 5 Market Applications Detection & Imagery: Potential use as biolabels and in biological assays. Ideal for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) applications. Authentication (e.g. in the ink for bank notes). Food Safety: A technology development project for the detection of food pathogens is under way with ITEGA in Montreal (Institut de technologie des emballages et du génie alimentaire). We are seeking an industrial partner in food packaging. OTHERS: Can be adapted to energy transfer applications (solar energy).

6. 6 Proof Points 1- Authenticity: Nanoparticles have been incorporated successfully into ink. 2- The technology has been adapted to water-soluble applications (biological assays; e.g. electrophoresis). 3 -Current project in food safety (pathogen detection)

7. 7 Business Opportunities Licensing opportunities : all fields currently available Patent issued in the USA and patent-pending in Canada Seeking industrial partners; in food packaging, authenticity, biological detection: e.g. diagnostics Please contact: Alain Richard, Ph. D. Director, Commercialization Life Sciences Valeo Management L.P. 355, Peel Street, Office 503, Montréal T : 1-514-840-1226 ext. 3007 alain.richard@valeosec.com