Technology & Intellectual Property
Strategic patenting for platform technologies. Open publication for proof-of-concept research. Both serve the public good.
Our Core Technology Platform
Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry for Surface Functionalization
MAAD's foundational expertise lies in bioorthogonal click chemistry— highly selective chemical reactions that occur under mild, catalyst-free conditions. This platform enables precise, covalent attachment of functional molecules to biological and synthetic surfaces.
What This Enables:
- • Site-specific molecular attachment without harsh chemistry
- • Ambient temperature reactions (no heat, no UV, no metals)
- • Multiple orthogonal reactions on same surface
- • Stable covalent bonds resistant to degradation
- • Modular two-phase delivery systems
Applications Across Industries:
- • Cosmetics: Semi-permanent color, mineral sunscreens
- • Diagnostics: Shelf-stable biosensors, peptide capture
- • Textiles: Permanent dyeing, functional coatings
- • Environmental: Pollutant capture, remediation materials
- • Therapeutics: Targeted delivery, surface modification
This chemistry platform underpins both our patented technologies and our open-source research collaborations.
Patent Portfolio
Modular Composition for Surface Functionalization
Status: Canadian Patent Application No. 3282455 (Filed August 2025)
Filing Strategy: Canadian priority filing; US and international (PCT) filings planned
Applicant: Dr. Hannah Suzanne Sanford-Crane
What This Patent Covers:
A modular chemical platform enabling covalent attachment of active agents (pigments, peptides, nanoparticles, therapeutics) to biological and synthetic surfaces through bioorthogonal click chemistry. The system uses orthogonal reaction pairs including:
- • DBCO–Azide (strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition)
- • Maleimide–Thiol (Michael addition)
- • Tetrazine–Trans-cyclooctene (inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder)
- • Hydrazine–Aldehyde (hydrazone formation)
Key Innovation:
Dual-phase delivery architecture enabling precise spatial and temporal control of surface functionalization. A primer formulation prepares the surface with click-reactive groups; a payload formulation delivers the active agent. Covalent bonding occurs only upon contact, enabling user control and safety.
Patent Applications:
Cosmetics
Semi-permanent hair color, covalently-bonded mineral sunscreens, long-wear nail treatments
Diagnostics
Shelf-stable biosensors, antibody-free detection, multiplexed assays
Textiles
Permanent dyeing without mordants, functional coatings, chemical indicators
Environmental
PFAS capture, heavy metal binding, pollutant remediation materials
Why We Patented This:
This is a platform technology with multiple commercial applications across industries. Strategic patenting protects the broad approach while enabling licensing partnerships that fund continued research. Patent protection ensures companies can commercialize specific applications with confidence.
From Patent to Research: The Platform in Action
Our patent covers the platform. Our research extends and applies it. This is how platform technologies create value across multiple domains.
Northeastern University: Modular Binder Design Platform
Patent Connection: Extends click chemistry expertise from surface functionalization to molecular recognition.
Using AI tools (RFdiffusion3, BoltzGen) to design binders for difficult targets—PFAS, glycans, heavy metals. Same bioorthogonal chemistry principles, applied to protein binder design rather than surface attachment.
Status: Active multi-semester collaboration | Outcome: Open publication of platform methods
McGill University: MAAD Shield & Build Sunscreen
Patent Connection: Direct application of patent claims—covalently bonded mineral sunscreen to skin.
Patent Claims (Broad Protection):
Click chemistry platform for mineral attachment. Patent examples include NHS-PEG-maleimide primers. Covers the core concept broadly.
Actual Formulation (Optimized):
Cosmetically-approved biopolymer primers (chitosan, pullulan, carboxymethyl cellulose). Click-reactive mineral payload. Maintains covalent approach, safer ingredients.
Status: Proof-of-concept complete | Next: Lab space for formulation optimization & stability testing
UC Merced: Air-Purifying Window Treatments
Patent Connection: Surface functionalization for pollutant capture.
Materials that capture airborne pollutants, regenerable by sunlight. Uses click chemistry principles for stable attachment of capture agents to textile substrates.
Status: Semester project complete | Outcome: Published methodology after validation
Platform Patents Enable Safe Commercial Products
Patents protect the broad approach. Commercial products optimize for safety, elegance, and regulatory approval. This is how responsible innovation works.
Patent Strategy (Broad Protection)
- →Claims cover approach: Click chemistry for surface functionalization
- →Examples prove concept: NHS-PEG-maleimide demonstrates feasibility
- →Multiple applications: Cosmetics, diagnostics, textiles, therapeutics
- →Licensing enables: Partners commercialize with protection
Product Development (Optimized Implementation)
- →Safe ingredients: Cosmetically-approved biopolymers
- →Regulatory ready: Components already approved for use
- →Cosmetic elegance: Texture, feel, user experience optimized
- →Application patents: Specific formulations separately protectable
Platform patent protects the concept. Application patents protect the implementation. Both have value. Both coexist.
Our Strategic IP Philosophy
When We Patent
- ✓Platform technologies with multiple commercial applications across industries
- ✓Deployment-critical innovations requiring manufacturing protection to enable partnerships
- ✓Defensive patenting to prevent monopolization of public goods (e.g., PFAS capture methods)
- ✓Licensing revenue that sustainably funds public-benefit research infrastructure
When We Publish Openly
- ✓Proof-of-concept methodologies from university research partnerships
- ✓Scientific validation enabling peer review and reproducibility
- ✓Methods advancing the field that benefit the broader research community
- ✓Negative results preventing others from pursuing dead ends
The Balance
Patents enable commercialization and sustainable funding. Open publication advances science and ensures accessibility. Both serve the public good. The key is knowing which tool to use when, and why.
What This Means for Industry Partners
Your IP Is Protected
When you partner with MAAD for proof-of-concept research:
- • Research happens confidentially under your evaluation window
- • You get time to file patents on your specific implementation before any publication
- • Platform patent doesn't prevent your application patents—it validates the approach
- • First-refusal licensing on technology developed through partnership
- • Published proof-of-concept after your decision doesn't undermine your commercial protection
Technology Available for Licensing
Interested in licensing our platform technology for your application? We work with partners to:
- • Provide exclusive or non-exclusive licensing based on your needs
- • Support formulation optimization for your specific use case
- • Enable application-specific patent filing with your improvements
- • Structure fair royalties that sustain research infrastructure
Why Our Technical Expertise Matters
Patent Filed
Platform technology protecting broad commercial applications
University Projects
Proof-of-concept research across three institutions
Years Expertise
Click chemistry, targeted delivery, surface functionalization
We understand when to patent, when to publish, and how to protect both platform technologies and application-specific innovations. This isn't theoretical—it's proven through both patent filing and university research partnerships.
Interested in Our Technology?
Whether you're interested in licensing, partnership, or collaboration, we'd love to discuss how our platform can enable your application.