The option relates to micro-capillary films which can contain non-aqueous liquids in small capillary tubes running through the film and could contain pharmaceutical, medicinal and supplement products as well as agrochemicals, releasing the liquids as the film dissolves.

The films were developed by the department of chemical engineering at Cambridge University specifically for applications in soluble film. BioProgress has also agreed the substantive terms under which it can exclusively license and commercialise this technology, which is the subject of a patent application, including sub-licensing it where appropriate.

The film in this case is extruded rather than cast, in a process developed at Cambridge which also forms part of the first patent application. In addition to the first patent, BioProgress also has exclusive rights to license any further patents which arise or derive from the initial patent application.

Graham Hind, BioProgress' CEO, said the technology complements the company's SOLULEAVES, WAFERTAB and FOAMBURST technologies.