INL and UMinho Transfer Cutting-Edge Graphene Diagnostic Technology to IPLEXMED
November 13, 2025
Today, 13 November, INL and UMinho have signed a landmark technology licensing agreement with IPLEXMED, marking a significant step in the commercialisation of cutting-edge medical diagnostic solutions.
The concession was formalised during the Research and Innovation Open Days at UMinho, in Session 6: “From Bench to Market: Intellectual Property Licence Agreement between IPLEXMED, INL and UMinho”, held at 13:30.
Under this licence, IPLEXMED, a spin-out company specialising in advanced medical diagnostics, gains the rights to commercialise a pioneering technology developed jointly by INL and UMinho. This innovation features functionalised graphene sensors capable of detecting malaria and other diseases through non-invasive methods. By enabling rapid and accurate detection of pathogens in saliva or urine samples, this breakthrough has the potential to transform global health efforts.
The technology was developed under the MULTIMAL project, funded by HORIZON 2020, and patented by INL and UMinho in 2024. At its core are monolayer graphene FET sensors, delivering attomolar-level sensitivity while remaining safe for deployment in tropical environments.
Ultimately, this landmark moment not only promises to positively impact the healthcare field, but also carries deep symbolic meaning. As Prof. Ado Jório, Deputy Director-General of INL, noted: “The logo of INL represents a graphene-like structure, and it is only now that INL is celebrating its 20th anniversary that we can celebrate our graphene sensors going to the market.”
The transfer of knowledge from the two leading institutions to IPLEXMED marks a pivotal step in turning cutting-edge research into real-world solutions. It opens the door to faster, non-invasive disease diagnostics with the potential to reshape global healthcare, and INL could not be more proud to play a key role in this journey.
