Patents

Patent protection plays a strategic role and offers competitive advantage to companies and entities interested in innovating their process and products.
Ca' Foscari promotes an Industrial Property culture that encourages investment in research and development and, to this end, supports its researchers in patent filing and managing relations with entities and businesses.

PInK offers a technology transfer process that covers the following services:

  • scouting of scientific results
  • search for opportunities of funding and technological enhancement
  • consultancy in the prior state search and filing phases
  • promotion and opportunity for exploitation of inventions, including through participation in technological showcasing or generalist trade fairs, to facilitate the meeting between the demand and the supply of technology innovation.

Visit our showcase on the matchmaking platform of IN-PART, bringing inventions and innovation out of the laboratories towards the market.

Registered patents

The patents listed below, in chronological order of filing, are available for licensing or transfer agreements from the dates indicated in each patent.
All Ca' Foscari patents are found in Knowledge Share, the portal that contains the patents filed by the main Italian universities and research institutes.

'Green' sweetening: sorbitol circular process

Sorbitol production is among the new frontiers of circular economy research. It is a sugar substitute endowed with a low caloric content, which we can found in scores of everyday products (toothpastes, vitamins, foods, textile processing...); however, its production undergoes quite unsustainable methods: the two-step procedure in use (hydrolysis of cellulose followed by hydrogenation) employs corrosive acids to extract and process sorbitol from cellulose. At Ca' Foscari University of Venice we have discovered a new method, now patented, to obtain it in a one-pot step and using simple carbon dioxide! The method also allows the use of various cellulosic sources, including paper waste such as pizza boxes.

The idea won the Italian edition of the prestigious Falling Walls 2023 competition, submitted with the support of our knowledge transfer office PInK. 

Read the news: Sorbitol from pizza boxes: from Ca’ Foscari a new 'green' patent

Super-films: biocompatible paints and biodegradable coatings

Nanostructured nanowhiskers (NWs) are highly sought after, due to their nanometric conformation, which allows their chemical-physical properties to be amplified, in addition to their excellent biodegradability and non-toxicity, and great absorption capacities, strength and stiffness. However, their use for the production of functional, versatile and scalable films and coatings has not yet been codified for efficient use. Researchers at Ca' Foscari and Pavia universities have succeeded in creating a stable compound with multiple properties: antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-UV and antimicrobial. A valuable ally for medical (e.g. protective films for wounds), cosmetic (water-based nail polish), active food packaging, sensing and preservation applications (to prevent, for example, the degradation of paper in ancient manuscripts).
Chemically, the compound is based on deacetylated chitin NWs, an acidifying agent, an aqueous solvent and a plasticizer.

  • Holders: Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Università degli Studi di Pavia
  • Inventors: Claudia Crestini, Matteo Gigli, Daniele Massari, Livia Visai (UniVe), Bloise Nora (UniPv)
  • Italian application: 102023000006900
  • Available for licence or transfer agreements from 02/10/2023

A 'domino effect' of free radicals against tumour cells

Domino

Free radicals are commonly associated with cellular ageing; however, they might not always cause harm. This is the case with the 'domino effect' engineered by researchers at Ca' Foscari and the CRO in Aviano, which exploits the particularly toxic oxidative action activated by copper nitroprusside (CuNP) mainly towards diseased cells. The patented pharmaceutical composition interacts with tumour cells, within which a chain reaction of free radicals is generated that destroys the cell membrane. CuNP nanoparticles, which are less toxic for healthy cells, can therefore be used for chemodynamic therapy. The compound has been successfully tested in vitro on ovarian and breast carcinoma and glioblastoma (brain) and is proceeding with in vivo validations. The research group also won a training course to bring the invention closer to the market: S3E START 2023.

  • Holders: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano
  • Inventors: Flavio Rizzolio (UniVe), Muhammad Adeel (UniVe), Kanwal Asif (UniVe), Vincenzo Canzonieri (CRO) 
  • Italian application: 102022000025359
  • Available for licence or transfer agreements from 09/06/2023

Efficient magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast medium often requires long and costly tests, repetitions and adequately trained personnel. Setting the optimal moment to acquire the diagnostic image would however enable more efficient exams, both for patients and health care structures. The method developed by Ca’ Foscari and Bicocca universities with the Auxology Italian Institute is based on an AI machine learning model, trained with values derived from a multiplicity of sample evaluations, which adapts to the meaningful data of the patient and to the specific parameters of the test to be performed. It determines then the optimal inversion time value for each patient and test, thus allowing for quicker and less test sessions to administer and a better image quality. The model has been tested for the myocardium and could be applied also to different MRI exams.

Holders: Milano-Bicocca University, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Inventors: Daniela Besozzi (UniMiB), Marco Nobile (UniVe), Daniele Papetti (UniMiB), Camilla Torlasco (IAI)
Italian application: IT102022000017907
Available for licence or transfer agreements from 22/12/2022

Bicyclic peptides for target therapy against cancer and inflammatory diseases

Bicyclic peptides are next generation therapeutic molecules, with high target affinity, specificity and stability and good tissue penetration. The herein invented compounds can detect and inhibit the enzyme uPA that is involved in extracellular matrix degradation, and may therefore be useful in the treatment of pathological conditions linked to it, particularly primary or metastatic forms of cancer and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Bicyclic peptides have in general low toxicity and immunogenicity and can be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration, also in combination with other active ingredients.

Read the news: ‘Key’ that inhibits molecules involved in cancer spread uncovered

Holders: Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Università degli Studi di Padova
Inventors: Alessandro Angelini, Nicola Frasson, Ylenia Mazzocato (UniVE), Laura Cendron (UniPD)
Italian application: 102022000012431
Available for licence or transfer agreements from 18/07/2022

Zero wine waste with microalgae

Waste from winemaking can now be 100% valorized with a closed, semi-continuous process that can be applied on-site at wineries of any size. The technology allows for the phytoremediation of wine wastes and solid or liquid organic waste, with no other use and otherwise to be disposed of (i.e. wine-making lees, wastewater and sludge). The process uses a joint anaerobic digestion-microalgae action, from which further green products can be obtained, such as microalgal biomass (applied in biorefinery and green chemistry) and biogas (renewable energy source).

Read the news: Microalgae used in ‘zero-waste’ wineries

Holder: Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Inventors: Cristina Cavinato, Paolina Scarponi
Italian application: 102022000011675
Available for licence or transfer agreements from 06/07/2022

A green process for fireproof plastics

Halogen-based flame retardants, presently those most commonly in use to increase fire-resistance of materials, are being severely restricted by the European Commission, due to their harmful effects on health and the environment. Therefore, Organophosphorus Flame Retardants are rising as one of the most promising alternatives for plastic fireproofing in a wide range of applications, particularly the aromatic derivatives containing the P(=O)-heteroatom moiety, such as DOPO-derivatives. With this new synthesis method, patented by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and AIMPLAS – Technological Institute of Plastics (Spain), it will be possible to produce greener flame retardants through a more efficient industrially scalable and more sustainable process, avoiding harmful impacts on the environment. These compounds have a good flame retardant effect in both gas and condensed phase and can be applied in multiple structural diversifications.

Holders: Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Aimplas Asociación De Investigación De Materiales Plásticos Y Conexas (Spain)
Inventors: Ludovico Agostinis, Marco Bortoluzzi, Stefan Ghincolov
European application: EP21383062
Available for licence or transfer agreements from 28/01/2022

Systems and methods for designing self-assembled nanostructures

The international research group that includes Ca’ Foscari discovered a general algorithm for the design of self-assembling systems: irregular particles in any arbitrary structure self-assemble into highly sought-after structures, such as the cubic diamond and other photonic structures. This method offers an alternative to the known technique, micro-patterning (e.g., lithography), which is more expensive and does not allow self-assembly in the entire volume of the sample.

Patent filed, still in the period of secrecy. To get more information:  pink@unive.it

Holders: Università di Roma la Sapienza, School of Molecular Sciences and Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics – USA, Lukas Kroc, Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Inventors: John Russo, Petr Sulc, Lukas Kroc, Flavio Romano
USA application: Provisional US62/985,204
Available for licence or transfer agreements from 02/08/2021

New extended class of anti-cancer efficient and non-toxic compounds

Anti-tumour research has been exploring metal-based compounds for chemotherapy in alternative to cisplatin agents or related compounds presently in use, to achieve less-toxic, targeted and efficient anti-cancer treatments. The Ca’ Foscari team discovered a new extended class of palladium compounds that includes vinyl and butadienyl fragments, which proved a targeted cytotoxic action. In vitro tests show high stability, a quick and reproducible synthesis and an effective anti-proliferating activity on some of the most aggressive tumours, such as ovarian, colon and breast cancer. The new class of compounds exhibits very promising results and poor toxicity on cells extracted from healthy tissues. These compounds could be efficiently used for a new generation of anti-cancer metal-based agents, limiting the typical side effects of cisplatin compounds. Further preclinical and clinical studies could lead to less toxic anti-cancer drugs.

Holder: Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia
Inventors: Fabiano Visentin, Flavio RizzolioThomas Scattolin, Dario Alessi
Italian application: 102021000012107
Available for licence or transfer agreements from 29/07/2021

Inhibitory compounds to fight neurodegeneration and tumors

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is an enzyme naturally present in many brain cells and involved in physio-pathological processes (regulation of inflammation, anxiety, immune modulation, motor coordination ...), yet its overexpression/upregulation can cause neuroinflammatory diseases and tumors. Its inhibition has a high therapeutic potential: new reversible inhibitory compounds have been tested, reducing the side effects of the irreversible inhibitors so far studied, and proved to be effective in laboratory on various tumor cell lines (e.g. colorectal, breast and ovarian cancer); they could also treat other MAGL-mediated pathologies (such as multiple/lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease).

Holders: University of Pisa, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Inventors: University of Pisa: Carlotta Granchi, Giulia Bononi, Marco Macchia, Filippo Minutolo, Giulio Poli, Diana Scalabrini, Tiziano Tuccinardi, Antonio Giordano; Ca’ Foscari University of Venice: Flavio Rizzolio
Italian application: 102020000007150
Available for license or transfer agreements from 14/05/2020

Palladium: less toxic chemotherapy

Targeted, efficient and non-toxic anti-cancer drugs: a new class of palladium compounds could be used as innovative chemotherapeutic molecules against various types of cancers, limiting the typical side effects of treatments with cisplatin or related compounds, in use since the late 1970s. The new compounds have been tested as anti-proliferating agents on some of the most aggressive tumors, such as ovarian, cervical, colon and lung cancers, achieving very promising results. It will be possible to produce highly efficient drugs, in the form of intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous solutions, pills or tablets. 

Holder: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Inventors: Fabiano Visentin, Thomas Scattolin, Enrica Bortolamiol, Flavio Rizzolio
Italian application: 102019000023079
Available for license or transfer agreements from 19/12/2019

Chemotherapy: Imatinib drug monitoring

The effectiveness of many anticancer drugs varies significantly depending on the drug and the individual patient, for which an incorrect dosage could be useless or even harmful. Therapeutic drug monitoring allows determining the optimal dose to administer, now in a much more expeditious and simple way thanks to the first electrochemical method that determines the concentration of the drug Imatinib in the patient's plasma. The invention can be developed as an on-site test delivering results in real time.

Read the news: Chemotherapy: it is now possible to measure the efficacy of 2 drugs 'live'

Holders: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano
Inventors: Gregorio Bonazza, Salvatore Daniele, Federico Polo, Stefano Tartaggia, Giuseppe Toffoli
Italian application: 102019000008808, international application: PCT/IB2020/055545
Available for license or transfer agreements from 29/08/2019

Chemotherapy: Irinotecan drug monitoring

The effectiveness of many anticancer drugs varies significantly from patient to patient, necessitating customized doses to avoid side effects. The invention applies for the first time an electrochemical method of therapeutic monitoring of the drug Irinotecan. The method enables determining in a rapid and simple manner the drug concentration in the patient's plasma; thus favouring establishment of the optimal dose. The method can be developed in a portable device that performs the test and reads the results in real time.

Read the news: Chemotherapy: it is now possible to measure the efficacy of 2 drugs 'live'

Holders: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano
Inventors: Gregorio Bonazza, Salvatore Daniele, Federico Polo, Stefano Tartaggia, Giuseppe Toffoli
Italian application: 102019000008841, international application: PCT/IB2020/055546
Available for license or transfer agreements from 29/08/2019

A more intuitive way of writing online in Japanese

Japanese written language uses two phonetic alphabets (hiragana and katakana) in addition to sinograms (kanji), not to mention the fact that... it has no spaces between words. This makes it considerably difficult for anyone who wants to learn, write or translate a text in Japanese, becoming even more complicated when the writing has to go through the web. The new method for language teaching, invented by researchers at Ca’ Foscari, is based on Long Unit Words and facilitates the translation process and the learning of the written language by native speaker children and by foreign learners of all ages.

Holder: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Inventors: Marcella Maria Mariotti, Alessandro Mantelli
Italian patent: 102019000002235
Available for license or transfer agreements from 29/08/2019

Production of PHAs for bioplastics and biogas from municipal solid waste

Municipal solid waste (OFMSW) can be reused and enhanced in many useful ways: among these is the fermentation of its organic fraction to obtain thermoplastic polyester polymers (PHAs), precursors of bioplastics and biogas. The patented method uses mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) and combines a biological process with a filtering system to optimized the production.

Read the news: Producing plastic from organic waste: the invention in Treviso

Holders: Sapienza University of Rome, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, University of Verona
Inventors: David Bolzonella, Marco Gottardo, Mauro Majone, Federico Micolucci, Paolo Pavan, Francesco Valentino
Italian patent granted: 102018000003322, international application: WO2019171316
Available for license or transfer agreements from 08/04/2018

Electrochemical sensor for PFAs detection in water

This innovative electrochemical sensor measures in the field, with immediate and inexpensive response, the concentration of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), one of the most widespread and polluting PFAs in groundwater. The sensor is based on a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP sensor) made ad hoc.

Read the news: Ca' Foscari researchers invent sensor that can detect PFAS

Holder: Ca' Foscari University of Venice
InventorsPaolo UgoNajmeh KarimianAngela Maria StortiniLigia Maria Moretto
Italian patent granted: 102017000026417
Presently in exclusive licence.

Bismuth silicates for better luminescence

A very simple synthesis procedure can create luminescent compounds that exploit the non-linear optical properties of bismuth silicates. The characteristics of lower cost and toxicity combined with greater flexibility of use make it a compound suitable for use in biomedical and therapeutic fields, in lighting as well as in anti-counterfeiting.

Holder: Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Inventors: Michele Back, Pietro Riello
Italian patent granted: 102015000025007
Available for license or transfer agreements from 12/06/2017

Remote measurement of waves for safety and research in the seas

Cameras synchronized, not in contact with water and carried on any type of body in motion (e.g. a boat or an off-shore platform) can collect and analyse images of the sea surface and reconstruct the wave spectrum in 4D (space + time). High precision, accuracy and simplicity of calibration make it a method of great interest for commercial navigation, safety at sea and scientific research.

Holders: Ca' Foscari University of Venice, National Research Council
Inventors: Francesco Barbariol, Alvise Benetazzo, Filippo Bergamasco, Sandro Carniel, Mauro Sclavo, Andrea Torsello
Italian patent granted:
102015000082942
Available for license or transfer agreements from 12/06/2017

Call to collaborations: inventions and technologies

Green reagent preparation: organic carbonates

Organic carbonates are non-toxic compounds that are highly biodegradable, excellent substitutes for harmful solvents and additives in the production of pharmaceuticals, fuels and lubricants. The production process of the compound, until now highly toxic, takes advantage of a new procedure that is faster, more environmentally friendly and enables large-scale application of the product.

Inventors: Maurizio Selva (Ca' Foscari University of Venice), Fabrizio Cavani, Tommaso Tabanelli (Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna)

Patents towards the market

Dynamic digestate recirculation for the treatment of organic waste

Two-phase anaerobic digestion systems with digestate recirculation are now standard in the treatment of organic waste (Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste – OFMSW - or other fermentable organic waste). The patent, developed by Ca' Foscari with University of Verona and Sapienza University of Rome, optimizes the process by automatically managing the ratio of digestate recirculation, applying a mathematical model based on the pH in the fermentation reactor, to control the rate flow.
The invetion, which was filed with Italian application: 102018000008006 and international application: PCT/IB2019/056702, has been granted for exclusive license use in 2021 to Tonello Energie, a company developing renewable energy installations. 

Inventors: David Bolzonella, Cristina Cavinato, Marco Gottardo, Mauro Majone, Federico Micolucci, Paolo Pavan, Francesco Valentino.

A sustainable system to determine citrus fruits juiciness

Agricola Lusia, a company based in Rovigo which specialises in the selling of citruses for large-scale distribution, has patented, together with Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italian application: 102020000030629), a system that applies mathematical methods to obtain non-destructive statistical classification of citrus fruits. The invention has been purchased by the company for industrial implementation and comes after a long-term collaboration between the university and the company, under the coordination of the C4S - Center for Sustainability of Fondazione Università Ca' Foscari. The method patented defines a juiciness parameter while minimising fruit destruction in the process, through scans, fruit squeezing and mathematical models. This parameter adjustes on the variety, origin and maturation degree of the fruits and can be implemented effectively and economically on an industrial scale by means of a dedicated device.

The research has been conducted by Pietro Riello and Carlo Gaetan (Ca' Foscari), Paolo Girardi (now at the Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization of the University of Padua) in collaboration with the CEO of Agricola Lusia, Daniele Campagnaro, and the General and Strategic Manager, Nicola Modica. 

Read the news: record:tx_news_domain_model_cafoscari_news_en:10304

Green cosmetics

An innovative process for producing a high-end cosmetic base, not only consisting of components derived naturally or produced from waste, but also capable of active ingredients controlled release, thus guaranteeing their optimal penetration into the skin for maximized effectiveness. The process allows the formulation of a final product reducing to a minimum the number of ingredients and raw materials, eliminating the use of some components (such as surfactants), which are generally essential in this type of preparation.

The formulation, invented by Michela Signoretto, Federica Menegazzo, Elena Ghedini and registered with the Italian patent no. 102018000005118 and international application: WO2019215592, has been initialy granted for exclusive license use to VeNice, the Ca' Foscari spin-off specialised in innovative, effective, 100% sustainable natural cosmetics; the British company Mérani, a start-up for skincare belonging to the SABR Partners group, decided to invest on it in 2021, to develop green cosmetics for the market. 

Read the news: 'Green' cosmetics: British start-up invests in Ca' Foscari patent

Photovoltaic cells: clean energy from wine waste

Giving value to waste as a precious renewable resource: for the first time, agri-food waste can be exploited to create photovoltaic cells that produce sustainable electricity. From the residues derived from winemaking (normally disposed of without any other use), researchers can extract natural dyes that capture solar energy, transforming them into a regenerated green resource.

The working group led by Professor Elisa Moretti and including Manuel Meneghetti, Stefano Meneghetti, Enrico Rodrigues Castellon, Aldo Talon, Emilio Celotti, after preliminary studies under an ESF [DHI1] [FS2] project financed by the Veneto Region, carried out research and experiments together with Serena Wines 1881, which resulted in the filing of a patent (Italian application: 102019000006939) in co-ownership. The company then acquired the Ca’ Foscari quota and signed an agreement to develop a prototype and possibly scale up the invention.

A look at the future through new... lenses

Using a method devised by researchers Elti Cattaruzza, Omar Grasso and Marco Mardegan, glass lenses for sunglasses can be given a wide range of colours in a simpler, safer way easily integrated with existing production lines.
Before this invention, state of the art in surface colouring of the glass was the widespread Hydrogen Firing method (thermal treatment of glass in the presence of hydrogen gas). The prototype developed in the Ca’ Fascari laboratories instead dyes the glass lenses by immersing them in a molten salt bath of a suitable composition: the colour can thus be varied thanks to the exchanges of chemical species between the salt and the glass, without the use of hydrogen , which is a flammable and explosive gas. It can also be implemented simultaneously with the chemical tempering (hardening) of the glass to increase its impact resistance.

The patent, Italian application no. 102016000043786, was sold to Luxottica Group, a leading company in the design, production and distribution of high-end, luxury and sports eyewear present throughout the world with a global wholesale network that reaches more than 150 countries in five continents.

Therapeutic Zirconia: development of new nanoparticles against cancer

Zirconia-based materials have long been used in medicine, for example in prostheses, but with no possible application in diagnosis and treatment. Researchers Alvise Benedetti, Pietro Riello and Gabriele Sponchia have synthesized new totally mesoporous zirconium oxide nanoparticles using an innovative sol-gel type technique that enables a high degree of control of the shape and diameter of the nanoparticles and of the porosity of the compound. These nanoparticles, due to their capacity for incorporation into the cells of different biological systems are non-toxic and can be applied in the biomedical field (diagnosis of cancer and other pathologies, more effective drug delivery than Silica). They can also be applied in sectors such as cosmetics (e.g. as a carrier of active ingredients, antioxidants and emollient agents), in the dental and prosthetic fields and in regenerative medicine (e.g. production of biocompatible scaffolds).

An invention with great potential that has raised the interest of Brenta srl: this innovative startup of Ninetreesgroup S.p.A. that deals with nanotech for the chemical-pharmaceutical industry, decided to invest in this discovery by purchasing the patent (Italian application no. 0001428445, international application: WO2016120795).

Read the news: Curing Zirconia: nanotech firm buys Ca’ Foscari’s patent

Technologies co-developed with Ca' Foscari

From waste to commodity: continuous flow lignin fractionation

Lignin is a polymer that constitutes 30% of the lignocellulosic materials and the residue of agricultural and forestry processes, such as pulp & paper and modern biorefinery processes. Currently disposed via combustion, or applied in low value applications, it can find increasingly innovative destinations of greater industrial interest as a commodity, thanks to methods of fractionation with high reproducibility

This technology allows the first fractionation of lignin in continuous flow, fully automatable at an industrial scale. It has been co-developed and filed for patent application by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and North Carolina State University (inventors: Claudia Crestini, Heiko Lange, Dimitris Argyropoulos, USA application: US62/784,030, international application: PCT/EP2019/086784) in 2019. The research group led by Claudia Crestini is developing the valorization of agro-forestry waste into nanostructured materials. Read the article

Tactile sensor for robotic arm

Sensitive robots... or at least their "skin": among the amazing developments of biorobotics, a new tactile sensor transforms the outermost layer of a robot arm into a sort of artificial skin. The receptor, applied over a relatively large area, is in fact able to perceive intensity and point of application of forces, imitating the human sense of touch. Innovative for lightness and adaptability to curved areas, it can cover large surfaces of robotic prostheses and/or collaborative robotic arms.

The technology, which has been co-developed and filed for patent application jointly by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna - Pisa (Jessica D’Abbraccio, Luca Massari, Calogero Maria Oddo,  Giuseppe Terruso), Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" (Eduardo Palermo), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - Genova (Edoardo Sinibaldi), Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma (Emiliano Schena, Martina Zaltieri) and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in 2019 - Italian application no. 102019000003657, has been transferred to Ca' Foscari's co-developers in 2021.