Optical communications technology developer Oyster Optics, Inc. says that it has sold its patent portfolio to a private equity fund, Techquity, L.P., and its portfolio companies.
Techquity is an IP investment fund. According to a filing with the SEC last month, the firm has raised $75 million of a planned $200 millon.
“Oyster Optics has developed key technologies and intellectual property around the efficient transmission of optical signals across communications networks,” stated Mark Roche, managing director of Techquity Capital Management, LLC, the fund’s management company. “Given their high quality and proven history, these unique assets fill an important role in Techquity’s rapidly growing portfolio. We believe current and future demand for network capacity will provide continued opportunity for expanded use of this critical IP.”
Oyster Optics says equipment manufacturers in the U.S., Asia, and Europe use its technologies – but declined to reveal exactly what those technologies are, other than to hint at their application. “Oyster Optics was impressed with Techquity’s strong telecommunications background and intellectual property prowess,” noted Seth Page, chairman and CEO of Oyster Optics. “We see Oyster Optics’ leading-edge phase modulation technologies as a natural complement to their investment and commercialization strategy.”
Founded in 2001, the company describes its targets as “government, commercial, security, and broad-band applications.”