Technology

Overview

CheckLight supplies its customers with innovative methods, testing kits and continuous biomonitors for early warning of drinking water contamination. CheckLight’s solutions are used as critical components of contamination warning systems in order to detect, as early as possible, a wide range of contaminating sources in drinking water, as well as the potential for bacterial re-growth.

Commonly used chemical analyzers can detect and identify a restricted number of substances. Numerous other contaminants that cannot be detected and/or that may have unknown toxic properties. While the detection of chemical substances in environmental samples does not necessarily indicate toxicity or biological hazard, the absence of specific chemicals does not necessarily indicate the absence of toxicity.

Biological early warning systems offer the potential to monitor a wide spectrum of contaminants, even those that escape conventional analytical monitoring. It is difficult, at best, to assess the impact of additive, synergistic, or antagonistic interactions of multiple compounds, even if all compounds are known. Biomonitoring, on the other hand, is primarily a screening tool that can detect the toxic interactions of all constituents of a water sample.

CheckLight’s solutions are based on breakthrough proprietary bioluminescence - based technology. CheckLight utilizes non-pathogenic luminous marine bacteria as sensitive biosensors Biological monitoring (or biomonitoring) that can rapidly indicate changes in water quality.

CheckLight’s technologies are based on the scientific work carried out by Professor Shimon Ulitzur, a world renowned expert in the field of marine bioluminescence who has dedicated over thirty years to researching the field.

Breakthroughs and IP

CheckLight's ground-breaking technology has produced bioassays which are highly sensitive to very low concentrations of a wide range of contaminants including heavy metals and organic toxicants and provide highly reliable and consistent results, within minutes. CheckLight has succeeded in simplifying the bioassays by providing user-friendly products that can be easily used in either field or laboratory setting and can be stored for long periods.

The ToxScreen test technology was verified by the EPA-ETV as a valid rapid water toxicity test in 2003 and 2006 (version I and II, respectively). While keeping its focus on water quality, the novel methods and technologies developed in the company, can also be implemented as powerful quality control tools in other industries, such as, nanotechnology-based production, pharmaceuticals, food products, and air contamination.

Leveraging on the extensive experience of its R&D team, the company is constantly expanding its IP portfolio. It combines different protection tools including patents, trade marks and trade secrets as well as various contractual protection vehicles.

IP is developed in direct relation to the company's business strategy and derived from it directly, creating significant customer value. A clear example of this is the long term storage capacity of the bacteria which is critical for an on-line bacteria based monitor - this differentiator serves as a clear barrier for competitors, and creates customer value by dramatically increasing the cost effectiveness of our solution.

CheckLight’s IP strategy is multi dimensional - interlacing the interdisciplinary nature of its technology and products, combining IP in each element of the value chain of the company.

ETV verfication — Rapid Toxicity Testing Systems

Background

Bacteria bioluminescence:

Luminescent bacteria. http://www.biology.pl/
Bacterial bioluminescence: its control and ecological significance. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Bioluminescent bacteria: lux genes as environmental biosensors. http://www.scielo.br/

Technology

Overview

Breakthroughs and IP

Background

Bacteria bioluminescence:

Early warning systems

ToxScreen

AOC